NYC Weather: 108-Degree Heat Index Looms After Severe Thunderstorms

NEW YORK CITY — A heat index of up to 108 degrees awaits New Yorkers who make it through a Thursday's also-sweltering temperatures and risk of severe thunderstorms with 70-mph winds, officials warned.

New York City is under a two-day excessive heat warning starting Thursday at 11 a.m. and running till Friday at 9 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

It's the first such warning since August 2021, said Zach Iscol, the city's emergency management commissioner, in a Thursday morning briefing chock-a-block with weather doom-and-gloom.

"I'm asking all New Yorkers to take this seriously," he said.

The heat index is expected to hit 105 degrees Thursday and up to 108 degrees Friday, Iscol warned.

The excessive heat's peak intensity between noon and 8 p.m. each day, he said. The heat continue through nighttime, with higher low temperatures than normal, he warned.

On top of Thursday's heat, the city faces a risk of severe thunderstorms with damaging winds during the afternoon, according to a hazardous weather outlook issued by the National Weather Service.

Showers and thunderstorms are likely, mainly after 4 p.m., the forecast states. The storms could carry large hail, a National Weather Service briefing states.

"Wind gusts of 58 to 70 mph could damage trees and power
lines and result in scattered power outages," the briefing states.

City officials warned of potential power outages as New Yorkers crank up their air conditioners amid the triple-digit heat.

Iscol encouraged city dwellers to postpone non-essential energy consumption such as doing laundry, using the microwave or leaving unneeded lights on.

"We recommend setting your air conditioner units to 78 degrees, or the lowest of the cool settings, remembering that it's all about maintaining your comfort while also ensuring energy consumption for the entire city remains sustainable," he said.

Cooling centers will be open beginning Thursday, and New Yorkers can find them by calling 311 or visiting the city’s Cooling Center Finder. The city's outdoor pools will be open an extra hour until 8 p.m.

A citywide map of outdoor cooling options such as spray showers and drinking fountains can be found at Cool It! NYC.

Here's the complete National Weather Service forecast, as of Thursday morning.

Thursday
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4pm. Some storms could be severe, with large hail and damaging winds. Partly sunny, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 105. Breezy, with a southwest wind 11 to 16 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Some storms could be severe, with large hail and damaging winds. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. West wind 6 to 14 mph.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 103. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 79. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph.

Saturday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Partly sunny, with a high near 96. West wind 9 to 14 mph.

Saturday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 66.

Monday
Sunny, with a high near 82.

Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.

Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.