What to Know
- New York City is in the middle of its third heat wave of 2017
- Temperatures reached the low 90s on Wednesday and Thursday is expected to be the most excruciating day, with highs in the mid-90s
- Friday will be the last day of the 90s, but the humidity will be a bit lower, especially in the afternoon; the weekend could bring storms
A large complex of thunderstorms developed in central New York state Thursday afternoon as temperatures soared into the 90s for the second straight day, and they were heading for New York City and the surrounding suburbs but not much came of it, meteorologists say.
Forecasters had said earlier Thursday there was a slight chance for pop-up storms, but that risk had increased dramatically by early afternoon. According to Storm Team 4, the line of strong storms could have brought heavy downpours, damaging winds, large hail and dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning.
The storms moved into the suburbs north and west of the city Thursday evening. Severe, pop-up thunderstorms were possible in New York City, parts of the Hudson Valley and Nassau County, according to the National Weather Service.
Storm Team 4 says the storms weakened as they approached Long Island and the Jersey Shore later in the evening, but some were still strong.
Any severe weather was not expected to be widespread, Storm Team 4 says. Get the latest severe alerts for your area here.
New York City is in the middle of its third heat wave of 2017, and forecasters had anticipated Thursday would be the most oppressive of the days-long stretch.
Local
Temperatures had soared above 90 degrees across much of the region by early afternoon, with a sizzling 98 degrees recorded at Newark Liberty International Airport, according to the National Weather Service. LaGuardia and Kennedy had hit 98, while Central Park hit 94 degrees. Bridgeport, Connecticut hit a steamy 93 degrees. The humidity made it feel even warmer; in Belmar and Toms River, New Jersey, it felt like 102 degrees.
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Widespread heat advisories and air quality alerts are in effect, and authorities urge people vulnerable to the heat to stay indoors as much as possible.
Friday is expected to be the third and possibly last consecutive day in the 90s, but the humidity will be a bit lower, especially in the afternoon hours. Saturday could reach the 90s, as well.
Heavy thunderstorms are likely over parts of the weekend, especially Saturday afternoon and evening. Scattered storms are possible Sunday as well, but the weekend isn't expected to be a total washout.
Another round of strong to potentially severe storms will pass through Monday afternoon with the cold front. The front will bring relief from the heat and humidity as we head into the rest of next week.
