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The New York City Emergency Management Department and the Health Department today advised New Yorkers to take precautions to beat the heat. The National Weather Service issued a Heat Advisory for New York City, starting this Thursday. The city is bracing for a sweltering wave of high heat index values from Thursday through Saturday, with the temperatures set to soar into the 90s across the boroughs. The most intense conditions are predicted to hit on Friday. The estimated heat index stands at 102 for Thursday, escalating to 103 on Friday, before cooling slightly but still at 99 on Saturday.

“New Yorkers should prepare for serious heat this week with a heat advisory in effect starting Thursday until Saturday,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adam. “Let’s not underestimate the effects severe heat can have on us and our neighbors. As such, we will have our cooling centers opening to help New Yorkers stay cool. And our city’s resident can find additional ways to stay cool at NYC.gov/beattheheat. Make sure to check in on your elderly neighbors, drink water, and keep your pets hydrated.”

“As we brace for a week of heightened heat, we are witnessing what is fast becoming our new normal — a direct repercussion of climate change. In NYC Emergency Management, we’ve adapted to these increasingly common weather extremes as part of our mission to protect our city,” shared NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “It’s crucial to remember that combating climate change demands both large-scale action and individual preparedness. I call on all New Yorkers to exercise caution and take necessary steps to lessen their exposure to these conditions.”

“Heat is deadly, and climate change is making extreme heat more frequent and even more dangerous, especially for vulnerable New Yorkers, so it is absolutely critical that we take care of ourselves and each other,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “Stay hydrated, make use of available resources to stay cool and check in on family members, friends, and neighbors, especially older and less mobile adults. It is more important than ever, with climate change clearly a public health issue, that we follow public health guidance in order to stay safe.”

To help New Yorkers beat the heat, on Thursday through Saturday, New York City will open cooling centers throughout the five boroughs. Cooling center locations may have changed from last year. To find a cooling center, including accessible facilities closest to you, call 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) or visit the City’s Cooling Center Finder. The finder will be activated tomorrow evening Wednesday, July 26. New York City opens cooling centers when the heat index is forecast to be 95 degrees or above for two or more consecutive days, or if the heat index is forecast to be 100 degrees or above for any amount of time. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, individuals are reminded to stay at home if they are feeling sick or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

New Yorkers can now also find cooling centers that welcome pets throughout the five boroughs. The City has also partnered with Petco to offer New Yorkers and their pets additional spaces to seek relief from the heat. All locations can be found on the City’s Cooling Center Finder. As a reminder, service animals are always allowed at cooling centers.

In New York City, most heat-related deaths occur after exposure to heat in homes without air conditioners. Air conditioning is the best way to stay safe and healthy when it is hot outside, but some people at risk of heat illness do not have or do not turn on an air conditioner.

The New York City Emergency Management Department and the Health Department urge New Yorkers to take steps to protect themselves and help others who may be at increased risk from the heat. For more information, including heat-related health tips and warning signs of heat illness, visit NYC.gov/health or NYC.gov/beattheheat.

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