What to Know
- The tri-state's first official heatwave of 2020 ended at six days on Friday, though temperatures still hit the mid to upper 80s
- Saturday will be similar to Friday, with some humidity returning but temperatures not quite as oppressive as earlier in the week
- It heats back up on Sunday with temps around 95 degrees — and may stay around there (or even higher) until midweek
After sweating through six straight days of at least 90-degree temps, the tri-state's first heatwave of 2020 — and longest since 2008 — came to an end Friday, but there were still some lingering storms to deal with.
Friday's storms were far more isolated than ones Thursday that brought down trees and wires and led to flash flooding in New Jersey and Connecticut.
Flash flood warnings started being issued late Friday morning for spots in New Jersey as well as Staten Island. Storm reports recorded street flooding that lifted manhole covers in Bayonne and one trapped driver in Jersey City. A flash flood warning was also issued for parts of the Jersey Shore in Ocean, Atlantic and Burlington counties.
The storm activity didn't last too long into Friday night however, capping off the first day in the region that didn't hit at least 90s since last week, as temperatures peaked in the mid to upper 80s. Click here for the latest weather alerts in your area.
Saturday heats back up near 90 under mostly sunny skies. Then dangerous heat returns Sunday, kicking off what's expected to be the second heatwave of the year. Temperatures should reach 95 degrees, Storm Team 4 says, only to be outdone by heat Monday that could hit the upper 90s.
Local
The second round of high heat will last into mid-week; then another couple days of spotty thunderstorms could pop up before temperatures relax a bit.
Track the approaching storms using our interactive radar below.
Storms earlier in the week brought damaging winds and quarter-sized hail, along with torrential rain. Lightning strikes sparked at least two fires in Brooklyn, one at the Spirit & Truth Christian Church in South Ozone Park and the other at a home in Cypress Hills.
Two men were struck by lightning in a Queens park, authorities said.
Hot Weather Tips
With today's hot weather, here are some tips to help stay safe, cool and hydrated from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(Cooling centers are open across the five boroughs. Find the nearest one here.)
- Wear appropriate clothing including lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting attire.
- Stay cool indoors including in a place with air-conditioning as much as possible.
- Schedule outdoor activities carefully and try and plan them when the day is the coolest or in areas with shade.
- Wear sunscreen and continue to reapply it while you are outside.
- Do not leave children in cars as cars can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures even with a window cracked open.
- Avoid hot and heavy meals.
- Drink plenty of fluids and don't wait until you are thirsty to drink.
- Keep pets hydrated by providing fresh water and leaving the water in a shaded area.
- Know the signs of heat-related illnesses and how to treat them.
