Millions of Americans are facing a major heat wave this week as temperatures rise in the Northeast and other regions of the country, ushering in a hotter-than-usual summer. In New York City, temperatures will be in the high 90s.
Climate change is causing temperatures to rise earlier in the year and dangerous heat to occur more frequently. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can have serious health consequences and even death.
Here’s what you should know to stay safe and cool.
How hot does it get in New York City?
Forecasts show temperatures in New York City will begin rising on Tuesday and will remain elevated throughout the week, with a possible high of 96 degrees on Friday.
The heat index is a measure of how hot it actually feels outside, taking into account humidity and temperature. The predicted heat index for Friday is 98 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement that he would activate the city’s heat emergency plan starting Tuesday.
“The first heat wave of the season is here and New York City has a plan to beat the heat — but we want all New Yorkers to have a plan, too,” Mr. Adams said. “A heatwave can be more than just unpleasant, it can be fatal and life-threatening if you are not prepared.”
If the plan goes into effect, the city will open hundreds of cooling centers – air-conditioned indoor spaces that can be used during the day. The fire department will convert some fire hydrants into sprinklers by installing spray caps. And the city government will work closely with the National Weather Service to monitor forecasts and communicate changes to the public.
Every summer, an average of around 350 people die in New York as a result of the hot weather. Black New Yorkers are disproportionately affected and are more likely to die from heat stress than others.
According to Dr. According to Ashwin Vasan, the city’s health commissioner, more than half of those who die each year live in homes without air conditioning.
How do I find places to cool off?
Although libraries have traditionally been among the most popular cooling centers for New Yorkers, the city’s public libraries have been closed on Sundays since late last year, when Mr. Adams announced budget cuts.
“New York City’s libraries are loyal partners to our city in times of need,” Sandee Roston, a spokeswoman for the New York Public Library, said in a statement on behalf of the city’s three library systems. She said the libraries would work to restore budget cuts “in the hope that we can reopen our doors to New Yorkers seven days a week.”
Which neighborhoods are most at risk?
While the entire city will be affected by extreme heat, some neighborhoods are at higher risk of dangerous conditions than others.
The city’s Heat Vulnerability Index — an initiative of the Department of Health in collaboration with Columbia University — analyzes the neighborhoods most at risk during a heat wave.
These areas often experience higher surface temperatures, less green space and less access to air conditioning. They have more black residents and lower income residents.
The index shows that many of these neighborhoods are in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens.
A section of the Bronx that runs from Mott Haven to Fordham Heights is one of many areas in the borough rated a 5, meaning residents are at the highest risk of suffering from extreme heat. Eastchester and Williamsbridge are among the other neighborhoods at risk.
Queens neighborhoods at increased risk include Jamaica, Hollis and St. Albans.
High-risk neighborhoods in Brooklyn include Brownsville, East Flatbush and East New York.
Is extreme heat more dangerous for some people than others?
According to the Ministry of Health, adults aged 65 and over, children under 5, pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes are more vulnerable to extreme heat.
Homeless people can be among the people most affected by heat. They may not have access to the air-conditioned housing available to other New Yorkers, said Brian Ourien, the communications director for the Bowery Mission, a prominent aid organization.
“On days when it is extremely hot, air conditioning becomes a necessary part of our lives and we cannot emphasize enough that people should stay indoors at times like these because it is risky for them,” Mr Ourien said .
Zach Iscol, the city’s emergency management officer, said the department issues a Code Red during times of extreme heat, in which outreach teams help homeless people get to shelters and cooling centers.
The Office of Emergency Management is also running a pilot program to provide cooling kits to field workers and day laborers.
In a statement, Dr. Vasan urges New Yorkers to pay attention to others.
“Take care of each other by checking in on family, friends and neighbors — especially older adults — to make sure they have a plan to stay cool and beat the heat,” he said.
How will the city’s power grid develop?
Millions of New Yorkers trying to beat the heat this week will crank up their air conditioners and run their fans non-stop for days. In particularly hot summer months, electricity consumption can double, pushing the city’s power grid to its limits.
This is the first heat wave of the summer and some outages are likely, said Patrick McHugh, senior vice president of electrical operations at Con Ed. Parts of the power grid that have deteriorated or broken since last summer will face their first real test this year, and Mr. McHugh expects some of them to fail.
The utility is prepared to address these vulnerabilities if necessary and has increased staffing in call centers and repair teams.
“This is what we have been planning and drilling for all year and we are ready to get started,” Mr McHugh said.
New York’s power grid is particularly sensitive to heat because most cables and transformers are stored underground rather than on outdoor poles. While underground cables are less vulnerable to wind, snow and falling trees, they are harder to cool when the streets and sidewalks above them get hot.
To prevent power outages, Mr. McHugh urged New Yorkers to save electricity by running dishwashers and washing machines at night or early in the morning when it is cooler.
“Also increase the temperature of the air conditioning a little,” he said. “Every little bit helps. If everyone does it, multiply it by millions.”
Are heat waves becoming more common in New York City?
The only heat wave to hit New York City last year occurred in September, said David Stark, a meteorologist with New York’s National Weather Service.
But Elijah Hutchinson, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, said he fully expects New York to experience more frequent, more intense heat waves and hotter days in the coming years.
The department’s data suggests the city could see an additional 35 days with temperatures above 82 degrees each year in the 2030s, Hutchinson said.
“Heat is one of the biggest climate-related killers in New York City,” he said.
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2024-06-17 19:30:40
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