Key Point Summary โ NYC Roasts With Real-Feel Temps
- Real-feel temps in NYC soared to 106ยฐ on Friday
- Actual high hit 97ยฐ, tying the July 25 record from 1999
- Severe thunderstorms with 59 mph winds rolled in by late afternoon
- Heat advisory and air quality alert issued for the city
- Cooling centers opened to protect at-risk residents
Heat Dome Blasts NYC With Scorching Temps
New Yorkers sweltered Friday as a punishing heat dome pushed real-feel temperatures to a blistering 106 degrees. The actual temperature peaked at 97ยฐ, threatening to match the record for July 25 set back in 1999, according to Fox Weather meteorologist Cody Braud.
โWe may tie the record, but I donโt think weโll break it,โ Braud told The Post, noting an incoming storm was likely to drop temperatures later in the day.
The heat index made it feel much worse than the mid-90s. Meteorologist Marissa Lautenbacher warned, โThe feels-like temperature is going to be more like 106.โ Fortunately, she added, โThe heat is just for today. Weโll go down to 86 tomorrow, which is near average.โ
Storms Threaten Commute With Wind Gusts
Relief from the scorching heat came at a cost. Thunderstorms rolled in by mid-afternoon, and meteorologists predicted the most intense activity to hit between 4 and 6 p.m. โ just as New Yorkers were heading home from work.
Lautenbacher said the biggest danger was wind gusts reaching up to 59 mph, strong enough to knock down tree limbs and cut power. While hail and tornadoes werenโt expected, the combo of heat and storms made for volatile conditions.
โThese types of storms go hand in hand with intense heat,โ she said. โTheyโre scattered, but powerful.โ
Heat Advisory and Air Alerts Issued
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for all five boroughs Friday, warning of serious health risks. โThese conditions are dangerous,โ the agency said. โPeople without air conditioning, older adults, people with chronic health conditions, and those working outside are most at risk.โ
Cooling centers were opened across the city to provide relief, while the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued an air quality alert for sensitive groups โ particularly people with heart or lung conditions.
Slight Relief Ahead, Then More Heat
Average temperatures around 85 degrees are expected to return over the weekend. But donโt get too comfortable. Forecasts suggest that the 90s will return later next week.
The heat dome, already punishing much of the country, continues to creep eastward, bringing both sizzling temps and unstable weather.
New Yorkers are being urged to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and check on vulnerable neighbors during this extreme weather.
