New Yorkers should prepare for the first significant heat wave of the year to land in the Empire state next week, according to AccuWeather and National Weather Service meteorologists.
Heat wave in New York: What to know
The heat wave is expected to grip New York beginning this weekend, with forecasters predicting highs in the low to mid-90s in most of New York lasting through at least Tuesday.
The system is already underway, moving across the Midwest and plains, and is expected to expand and move into New York soon, said Weather Service Meteorologist Heather Kenyon. Heat index values – which combines the high humidity and air temperature – are expected to exceed 100 degrees, making the excessive heat feel even hotter.
How hot will it get?
The temperature will start to rise over the weekend – with a predicted high in the upper 80s on Saturday and surpassing 90 on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, said Weather Service Meteorologist Steve Welch. On Wednesday, the high is predicted to drop back to the low 80s.
As of Friday, the hottest day of the trio appears it will land on Monday – with a predicted high of 96 degrees, said Weather Service Meteorologist Heather Kenyon.
Both Sunday and Monday could see a heat index above 100 in upstate New York, with it potentially feeling like 105 degrees on Monday. That day, Kenyon said, New Yorkers will need to decrease the amount of time they are outside. Tuesday is predicted to feel less humid, but that could change as the forecast may shift.
Are any record highs expected?
Yes. Some places in upstate New York could break records. In Rochester, for example, Sunday’s record high of 93 was reached three times – in 2022, 1988 and 1957. Monday’s record high of 95 was set in 1888 and Tuesday’s record high of 96 was set in 1949, according to the Weather Service. The predicted highs on those three days are 93, 96 and 91, respectfully. If the mercury does rise above 90, it will be the first time for 2025 in Rochester, forecasters said.
To date, the warmest day of the year in Rochester was on June 4, when the temperature reached 88 degrees, recorded by the Weather Service at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport. The second warmest day of 2025 was April 29, when the high reached 84 degrees, according to the Weather Service.
Impact on New York
What to Do
Gov. Hochul speaks on extreme weather
“Starting this weekend, it will be dangerously hot in many, many parts of our state,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said at a Friday morning news conference about the pending extreme heat. “I know New Yorkers are tough – we like to think we’re really tough – but this is not your run-of-the-mill hot summer week.”
With the heat index expecting to surpass 100 degrees is rather unusual – but not unheard of – in New York. But given the recent moderate temperature throughout New York, “this is going to be a real shock to the system.”
“I cannot stress this enough,” Hochul said. “Extreme heat can be deadly.”
Stay safe and stay indoors whenever possible during such extreme heat, she said.
More than 55,000 utility workers are on standby throughout the state in the case of weather-related power outages, she said. State employees will also be on modified schedules, and Hochul during the news conference encouraged private business owners to be mindful of employees who work outdoors.
For Primary Day – which is Tuesday, June 24 – the high is predicted to reach the low 90s. Hochul is encouraging residents to take advantage of early voting – where available – before the extreme heat kicks in.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Dangerous heat wave set to hit NY: Temps could feel like 105 degrees
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
