Just weeks after soaring temperatures scorched New York City, the first heat wave in Central Park since 2013 could be on its way.
Temperatures were in the low 90s on Saturday, the first of what could be five straight days of 90-degree temps. Three consecutive days of 90-degree heat constitutes a heat wave.
An air quality alert is in effect for most of the tri-state area, including New York City, until 11 p.m. on Sunday, as temperatures continue to climb. There's also a rip current advisory for area beaches, Storm Team 4 says.
It will be mostly sunny in the city by Sunday afternoon, with hazy skies and temperatures in the low to mid 90s. It will feel slightly cooler along the coast, where temperatures will reach the upper 80s.
Temperatures in the mid 90s will continue on Monday, which will likely be the hottest day of the week, Storm Team 4 says. It will also be very humid on Monday, making it feel even hotter. Tuesday will be a lot like Monday: hot, humid and muggy. Some clouds will begin to form as the day rolls on, and there's a chance of showers and thunderstorms Tuesday night.
Amanda Campo, 78, stocked up on supplies Friday so she could follow advice for seniors during the next few sweltering days.
"Stay home and put the air conditioning on," she said.
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Con Edison says its grid of underground power cables and overheard wires is in good shape. But New Yorkers are still being asked to cut back on unnecessary appliances.
That might be hard this weekend and early next week as temperatures and humidity continue to build. But some are okay with the heat, knowing that autumn is just around the corner.
"It's been a fantastic summer," said Kevin Trzaska, a contractor at a church renovation project. "And with the long winter we had, I don't look forward to the next winter that's coming."
At the Astoria Park pool, where kids were enjoying the dog days of summer, parent Emil Pimentel said this season has been too cool.
"Not hot enough," he said. "I had to shovel a lot of snow this winter. I like it at 90 so we can get in a nice cool pool."
When reminded by NBC New York's Andrew Siff that Halloween is only two months away, Pimentel would have nothing of it.
"Don't start. Don't spoil it!" he said.
It's actually been an unusual summer, with temperatures slightly above normal, but not much extreme heat. There have only been seven days above 90 degrees this summer, compared to the normal amount of 15 days.
Wednesday will flirt with 90 degrees, as temperatures begin to cool down a bit; not that it will matter much to commuters in the subway, where temperatures reached 106 degrees in one station during a spike of hot w. Some thunderstorms could develop on Wednesday afternoon, according to Storm Team 4.
Temperatures will dip further on Thursday, when the high is expected to be around 88 degrees. There's a chance of a shower or thunderstorm in the afternoon. More thunderstorms could pop up on Friday and Saturday as temperatures cool to the mid to upper 80s.
