Emergencies Declared Across the Northeast as Heat Index Hits Triple Digits (2024)

Climate change means temperatures are climbing earlier in the year, and dangerous heat is occurring more frequently. Prolonged exposure to hot temperatures can cause severe health consequences and even death.

Here’s what to know in order to stay safe and cool.

How hot will it get in New York City?

Forecasts show that temperatures will start to climb in New York City on Tuesday and remain elevated throughout the week, with a potential peak of 96 degrees on Friday.

The heat index is a measure of how hot it really feels outside, taking into account humidity and temperature. The heat index forecast for Friday is 98 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement that he would activate the city’s heat emergency plan starting on Tuesday.

“The first heat wave of the season is here, and New York City has a plan to beat the heat — but we want all New Yorkers to have a plan as well,” Mr. Adams said. “A heat wave can be more than just uncomfortable, it can be deadly and life threatening if you are not prepared.”

When the plan goes into effect, the city will open hundreds of cooling centers — air-conditioned indoor facilities that can be used during the day. The Fire Department will turn some hydrants into sprinklers by installing spray caps. And city officials will work closely with the National Weather Service to monitor forecasts and communicate changes to the public.

Approximately 350 people die on average each summer in New York because of hot weather. Black New Yorkers are disproportionately affected and more likely to die from heat stress than others.

More than half of those who die each year live in homes without air-conditioning, according to Dr. Ashwin Vasan, the city’s health commissioner.

How can I find places to cool off?

The city has released an online map of hundreds of air-conditioned spaces that are open to the public, including libraries, community centers, malls and museums.

The parks department maintains another map that features outdoor resources, like water fountains, open fire hydrants and shady city blocks.

While the city’s beaches are open to all, outdoor public pools don’t open for the season until June 27. Some indoor pools in recreation centers are open, but you have to become a member to access them.

Though libraries are traditionally among the most popular cooling centers available to New Yorkers, the city’s public libraries have been closed on Sundays since late last year, when Mr. Adams announced budget cuts.

“New York City’s libraries are steadfast partners for our city in times of need,” Sandee Roston, a spokeswoman for the New York Public Library, said in a statement on behalf of the city’s three library systems. She said the libraries would push to have budget cuts restored “in hopes that we can once again open our doors to New Yorkers seven days a week.”

Which neighborhoods are most at risk?

While extreme heat will affect the entire city, some neighborhoods are more at risk of experiencing dangerous conditions than others.

The city’s Heat Vulnerability Index — an effort spearheaded by the health department in conjunction with Columbia University — analyzes the neighborhoods that face the most danger during a heat wave.

These areas often have higher surface temperatures, fewer green spaces and less access to air-conditioning. They have more Black residents and residents with lower incomes.

The index shows that many of those neighborhoods are in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens.

A stretch of the Bronx running from Mott Haven to Fordham Heights is one of many areas in the borough to score a 5, meaning residents are at the highest risk of suffering from extreme heat. Eastchester and Williamsbridge are among other neighborhoods that face that level of risk.

In Queens, some of the neighborhoods facing heightened levels of risk include Jamaica, Hollis and St. Albans.

In Brooklyn, high-risk neighborhoods include Brownsville, East Flatbush and East New York.

Is extreme heat more dangerous for some people than others?

Adults who are 65 or older, children under 5, pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions including heart conditions and diabetes are more vulnerable to extreme heat, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Homeless people can be among those most affected by heat. They might not have access to the air-conditioned refuges that are available to other New Yorkers, said Brian Ourien, the communications director of the Bowery Mission, a prominent aid group.

“Air-conditioning at this point becomes a necessary part of our lives on days that are extremely hot, and we can’t emphasize enough how people should be indoors during times like these because it’s risky for them,” Mr. Ourien said.

Zach Iscol, the city’s emergency management commissioner, said the department issues a Code Red during periods of extreme heat, during which outreach teams help homeless people get to shelters and cooling centers.

The Office of Emergency Management is also piloting a program to give outdoor workers and day laborers cooling kits.

In a statement, Dr. Vasan urged New Yorkers to look out for others.

“Take care of one another by checking in on family, friends and neighbors — especially older adults — to make sure they have a plan to keep cool and beat the heat,” he said.

How will the city’s power grid fare?

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Millions of New Yorkers trying to beat the heat this week will crank up their air- conditioners and run fans without pause for days at a time. Electricity usage can double during especially hot stretches of the summer, pushing the city’s power grid to its limit.

This is the first heat wave of the summer, and some outages are likely, said Patrick McHugh, the senior vice president of electric operations at Con Ed. Parts of the grid that have degraded or broken since last summer will get their first true test of the year, and Mr. McHugh expects some of them to fail.

The utility is prepared to fix those weak spots as needed, and it has beefed up staffing in call centers and repair teams.

“This is what we plan and drill for all year, and we’re ready to get out there,” Mr. McHugh said.

New York’s electrical grid is especially sensitive to heat because most of its cables and transformers are stored underground, instead of on poles in the open air. While underground cables are less vulnerable to wind, snow and falling trees, they are harder to cool when the streets and sidewalks above them get hot.

To help prevent blackouts, Mr. McHugh urged New Yorkers to conserve power by running dishwashers and laundry machines at night or early in the morning, when it’s cooler out.

“Also raise the temperature a little bit on the air-conditioner,” he said. “Every little bit helps. If everybody’s doing it, you’re multiplying it by millions.”

Are heat waves in New York City becoming more common?

The only heat wave to hit New York City last year happened in September, said David Stark, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service of New York.

But Elijah Hutchinson, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, said he fully expected New York to experience more frequent, intense heat waves and hotter days in the coming years.

Department data suggests that by the 2030s, the city could see an extra 35 days of temperatures above 82 degrees each year, Mr. Hutchinson said.

“Heat is one of the biggest climate-related killers in New York City,” he said.

Emergencies Declared Across the Northeast as Heat Index Hits Triple Digits (2024)

FAQs

Emergencies Declared Across the Northeast as Heat Index Hits Triple Digits? ›

Emergencies Declared Across the Northeast as Heat Index Hits Triple Digits. The heat index soared over 100 degrees even in parts of Maine, and record-breaking temperatures were expected across the region over the next five days.

What is issued when the heat index reaches or is expected to reach 115? ›

The National Weather Service issues a Heat Advisory when a heat index of 105° will be reached for at least three hours, with little cooling expected overnight. A Heat Warning is issued if the heat index will reach 105° for three days or more, or if the heat index will reach 115° on a single day.

What is an unsafe heat index? ›

Danger. 103°F - 124°F. Heat cramps or heat exhaustion likely, and heat stroke possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity. Extreme Danger. 125°F or higher.

What is the highest heat index ever recorded on Earth? ›

The current official highest registered air temperature on Earth is 56.7 °C (134.1 °F), recorded on 10 July 1913 at Furnace Creek Ranch, in Death Valley in the United States.

What states have the highest heat index? ›

  • Florida. Florida is the hottest state in the U.S., with an average annual temperature of 71.5°F (21.9°C) between 1991 and 2020. ...
  • Hawaii. Hawaii is the second-hottest state in the U.S., with an average annual temperature of 70.2°F (21.2°C). ...
  • Louisiana. ...
  • Texas. ...
  • 5 (tie). ...
  • 5 (tie.) ...
  • Alabama. ...
  • South Carolina.

What are OSHA rules on heat index? ›

The following states have standards for heat exposure: California. California's Heat Illness Prevention Standard requires employers to provide training, water, shade, and planning. A temperature of 80°F triggers the requirements.

What is the highest heat index humans can survive? ›

Externally, the upper limit of the human body's thermoneutral zone—the ambient temperature range in which the body can maintain effectively maintain its temperature and equilibrium—likely falls somewhere between 104 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit, according to a 2021 study published in Physiology Report.

What temperature can you refuse to work in the US? ›

OSHA does not set specific temperatures at which workers can refuse to work. However, workers have the right to refuse work that they believe poses an imminent danger of death or serious harm, including unsafe heat conditions.

What temperature is too hot to walk outside? ›

Heat index from the National Weather Service. If the only info you have is the temperature, 80° to 90° F is the be-extra-careful zone, says Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.S.O., C.D.N., NASM-CPT, the Good Housekeeping Institute's Nutrition Lab Director, who is also a personal trainer.

What is dangerously hot weather? ›

When the heat index reaches 105° F, or higher, conditions can become dangerous for both people and pets. Another tool for indication of potential heat stress is called Wet Bulb Glob Temperature. It factors several parameters, including temperature, humidity, cloud cover and wind.

What is the hottest place on Earth today? ›

Death Valley, California, USA

The below-sea-level basin is a land of extremes; in winter, towering peaks are dappled with snow, while summer heats make it the hottest place on Earth.

What is the hottest country in the world? ›

located on the Arabian Peninsula. It experiences very high temperatures all year round, with summers being extremely hot. Temperatures can exceed 122 degrees Fahrenheit, making Kuwait the hottest country in the world.

What was the hottest day in the United States history? ›

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the highest temperature ever recorded was 56.7 °C (134.1 °F) on 10 July 1913 in Furnace Creek (Greenland Ranch), California, United States, but the validity of this record is challenged as possible problems with the reading have since been discovered.

Where is it 70 degrees year round in the United States? ›

Where is it 70 degrees year-round in the U.S.? While temperatures fluctuate throughout the year in most U.S. states, there are few states with warm weather that see averages around 70-degree weather year-round. These states include Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and New Mexico.

Which is hotter, Texas or Florida? ›

Florida is the hottest state in the US, with an average temperature of 73.4 °F. Louisiana is the second hottest state, with an average temperature of 68.5 °F, followed by Texas, the third hottest state, with an average temperature of 68 °F.

What state has the worst heat humidity? ›

Most Humid States, Ranked

That's right: Alaska is one of the most humid states! In fact, Alaska reports an average RH of 77%, with the next highest state, Florida, reporting a 74% average. Despite Florida being hot and balmy, Alaska has high humidity levels because of its milder, lower temperatures.

What happens when heat index is high? ›

The body's inability to regulate internal temperature and eliminate heat gain in such conditions increases the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. The strain put on the body as it tries to cool itself also stresses the heart and kidneys.

When the heat index is above 105 safety breaks will be held.? ›

If the Heat Index is above 105'F or 41'C, Safety Breaks are increased to every hour for 10 minutes.

What does heat index of 106 mean? ›

Check on your family, friends, and neighbors. Heat Index: 105-129. degrees F. Health Effect: Sunstroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely.

What does a heat index of 100 mean? ›

For example, an air temperature of 90° F and a relative humidity of 60% intersect at a heat index of 100°. In other words, the temperature would feel like 100° with this humidity/temperature combination. Heat index values were devised for shady light wind conditions.

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