New Yorkers Gearing Up for Extreme Heat

New Yorkers are preparing for a brutally hot weekend, and the city is providing cooling centers, as temperatures may hit the century mark for the first time in seven years.

Real-feel temperatures Wednesday and Thursday are forecast to be in the low to mid-90’s, the NYC Emergency Management and Health Departments announced. The peak heat is expected into the weekend, with temperatures in the mid to upper 90s and real-feel temperatures close to 105 degrees on Friday and close to 107 degrees on Shabbos. The actual temperature on Shabbos may reach 100 degrees. The last time a thermometer hit the century mark in Central Park was July 18, 2012.

The real-feel temperature will remain around 100 degrees on Sunday (when the fast of 17 Tammuz will be observed).

The National Weather Service has also indicated a potential for thunderstorms Wednesday evening through Thursday morning that could bring heavy rain and high winds to the area.

New York City will open cooling centers from Wednesday through Sunday. Cooling centers are air-conditioned facilities such as libraries, community centers and senior centers that are open to the public during heat emergencies. To find a cooling center, including accessible facilities closest to you, call 311 or visit the NYC Cooling Center Finder at NYC.gov/beattheheat beginning 8 a.m. Wednesday.