Rainstorms To Crack The Heat Dome In NYC: See Latest Timing

NEW YORK CITY — Another day of brutal heat is in store for New York City, before showers and thunderstorms break the heat dome during the second half of the week, according to the latest forecast.

Heat index values are expected to hit 103 degrees on Wednesday, National Weather Service forecasters said. Heat advisories and air quality alerts remain in place through Wednesday.

"Heat tends to have cumulative effects on the body and is exacerbated when the body can't recover at night. If outside, drink water, take frequent breaks, and find some shade," National Weather Service forecasters said.

"Watch out for heat cramps, exhaustion, or stroke. Don't leave people or pets in a closed car. If air conditioning is not available in your home, find a cooling option with friends or family or a nearby cooling station."

After 5 p.m. Wednesday, scattered rainstorms and thunderstorms should hit the city, bringing the temperature down nearly 20 degrees, according to the latest forecast.

Scattered rain and thunderstorms will persist through the week until at least next Tuesday, the National Weather Service said.

At first, the cooldown from the rain will be dramatic, but higher temperatures are predicted to throttle back and rise to the mid-80s by Sunday.

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 on Wednesday, 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.

This will also help conserve energy and keep the power grid running, Con Ed said.

Here is the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 100. Northwest wind around 7 mph.

Wednesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. East wind 6 to 8 mph.

Thursday night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. East wind around 7 mph.

Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. East wind around 8 mph.

Friday night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 66.

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81.

Saturday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.

Sunday night: A 30 percent chance of showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.

Monday night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.

Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

You can check the current air quality by visiting AirNow.gov.

To find a cooling center near you, click here.

For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.