Brooklyn Braces For Brutal NYC Heat Wave — Here’s How To Stay Cool

BROOKLYN, NY — With NYC facing its first major heat wave of the season, Patch has put together a list to help Brooklynites beat the heat this week — including where to go and how to stay cool.

Temperatures are expected to reach the high 90s through Wednesday, and the heat index, which measures how hot it actually feels, could climb above 102 degrees today, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecast temperatures for the city are “dangerously high,” according to NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zachary Iscol. City and state officials have warned that extreme heat is more than just uncomfortable; it can pose a serious public health risk.

"As temperatures soar to nearly 100 degrees this week, we urge all New Yorkers to take the heat seriously," Iscol said. "Stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, and, most importantly, find places in your neighborhood to cool down, so you and your family avoid the dangerous consequences of heat illness."

High heat is a silent killer, posing a disproportionate threat to the city’s most vulnerable residents: adults aged 60 and older, young children, and those with pre-existing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, mental health issues, or cognitive impairments.

In fact, extreme heat is the “most dangerous” weather phenomenon in New York City, causing approximately 350 premature deaths each year, officials said.

To stay safe and cool, emergency officials urged New Yorkers to take advantage of nearby cooling centers, beaches, community pools, misting stations and other resources.

New York’s outdoor public pools won’t open in time for the heat wave, but residents can still cool off at drinking fountains, splash pads and shady parks throughout the city.

The pools officially open for the season on June 27 and are open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

During extreme heat, the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) issues a Code Red Alert. When a Code Red is in effect, shelters are open to anyone experiencing homelessness, and designated cooling areas are available for those suffering from heat-related discomfort.

Here's a partial list of where some of those spots are in Brooklyn:

• Greenpoint Library
• Dyker Library
• Albany Older Adults Center (older adults only)
• Ridgewood Bushwick Older Adults Center (older adults only)
• Brooklyn Museum
• Crown Heights Library
• Bedford Temple Corps Community Center
• Park Slope Library
• Herbert Von King Cultural Arts Center
• Brooklyn Heights Library
• Times Plaza Center OAC (older adults only)
• Cortelyou Library
• Zest for Life OAC (older adults only)
• Bushwick Library
• Prospect Hill OAC (older adults only)
• Bensonhurst Corps Community Center

The borough also has dozens of drinking fountains, misting stations, spray showers and "tree canopies" that neighbors can use to stay cool. Find a searchable map of those options here.

"Know your cool options, whether it's your own home, the home of a friend or family member with an air conditioner, a mall, a library, a museum, or an official city cooling center, and consider taking care of tasks that require you to be outdoors today or during off-peak hours when the sun is not as intense," Mayor Adams said. "We want all New Yorkers to enjoy summer in the greatest city in the world — and we want to make sure that everyone is safe and protected."