100-Degree Heat Indexes, Poor Air Quality Threaten NYC, Forecasters Say

NEW YORK CITY — The Big Apple is getting baked this week with heat indexes rising to dangerous triple-digit temperatures, along with poor air quality and intense humidity, forecasters said.

On Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued a Heat Advisory for all five boroughs, which will be in effect until Thursday at 10 p.m. Heat index values of up to 100 degrees or higher during the day are expected, forecasters said.

A Heat Advisory is issued when the combination of heat and humidity is expected to make it feel like it is 95 to 99 degrees for two or more consecutive days, or 100 to 104 degrees for any length of time, according to the National Weather Service.

The lows at night are in the high 70s, and may not offer much relief with high humidity persisting.

The National Weather Service also issued an Air Quality Alert for the city on Wednesday, due to pollutants in the air.

New Yorkers who are sensitive to air quality, like people with asthma, young children, and older adults, will want to avoid spending a lot of time outside or doing strenuous activities outdoors, officials said.

To reduce the amount of pollutants in the air, New York's Department of Environmental Conservation recommends using mass transit instead of driving, turning off all unused electrical appliances, and cutting back on any outdoor burning, like smoking or grilling. You can check the current air quality by visiting AirNow.gov.

Though the heat wave spans Wednesday and Thursday, temperatures should trend cooler Friday into Saturday, with a few scattered rainstorms, according to the National Weather Service forecast.

It is important to take precautions during this heat wave, especially for those with chronic health problems and those who are working outside, National Weather Service forecasters said.

Homes without air conditioning can be much hotter than outdoor temperatures, so use air conditioning to stay cool at home or go to a place with air conditioning, officials said.

According to Scientific American, extreme heat is the number one weather-related cause of death in the U.S. It kills more than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined most years.

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Here's the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.

Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph.

Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind 9 to 13 mph.

Thursday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. Southwest wind around 11 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Northwest wind around 10 mph.

Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

Saturday night: A 40 percent chance of showers after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Sunday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Sunday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

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