STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — It’s going to be a hot start to the week — followed by days of thunderstorms, according to AccuWeather.
Today and Tuesday were forecasted to be the hottest days of the week, with temperatures nearly touching 90 degrees. This intense heat has prompted the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue a heat advisory that will be active until 8 p.m. Tuesday.
The forces of elevated temperatures and humidity will make Monday and Tuesday feel as if it is 100 degrees outdoors, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tom Kines said.
Kines warned that although such elevated temperatures are not uncommon in New York City for the summertime, heat-related illness can strike.
“Sickness can certainly happen if you have to be outdoors; Especially during the afternoon hours, you have to take it easy by relaxing a little bit,” Kines explained. “If you have to do some kind of strenuous work outside, it is best to do it in the early morning hours when the heat is not so intense.”
A future of thunderstorms
Wednesday through Saturday will bring sporadic afternoon and evening thunderstorms, Kines predicted.
“Any rain that we get, especially Thursday and Friday, can bring downpours with it,” said Kines “It is tough to say how much rain we are going to get, but I think that the potential is there during Thursday and Friday for an inch of rain.”
The threat of thunderstorms will probably begin to relax as Sunday rolls in, bringing with it dryness, Kines said.
The thunderstorms will bring cloud coverage over the New York City area later in the week, helping with the heat.
“More cloud cover should trim the temperature some as we get into Wednesday and especially Thursday through Saturday,” said Kines. “It’s doubtful that we are going to get close to 90 degrees those days. It will probably be more so toward the lower to middle 80s those days.”
According to AccuWeather, there does not appear to be a severe weather system coming toward Staten Island, although residents should keep in mind that any thunderstorm can bring gusty winds.
Humidity will increase
It will not be a great week for hair, Kines warned.
“We are not getting a break from the humidity this week,’' Kines said. “If you think its humid today, it may get worse than this on Wednesday and again on Friday and Saturday. If you do not like the humidity, its going to be a rough week for you.”
Kines said the silver lining is that the heat is not going to be oppressive after Monday and Tuesday, although humidity will intensify.