New Yorkers Prepare for Dangerous Heat Wave

This summer is expected to be one of the hottest in NYC's history.Photo by(The author)

Cooling centers will open this week, as NYC embraces for its first heat wave

New York City — "Wow! It must be nice to have cool summers up there in New York," my uncle said this morning, during our phone call. "It's too hot in Houston."

Clearly my uncle is unfamiliar with the Big Apple's summers. "Uncle Mike," I replied, "you do realize tomorrow's temperature in Houston is expected to be onlyy 80 degrees while here in New York — we're facing almost 90?"

He gulped.

Indeed due to the excessive humidity, New Yorkers are bracing for this year's first heat wave.

On Monday, New York City's Office of Emergency Management said it's activating a heat emergency plan for the first time this year.

With temperatures expected to rise to the 90s this week, and eventually projected to reach a scorching 99 degrees on Thursday and Friday, the mayor and city council have expressed concerns.

“A heat wave can be more than just uncomfortable, it can be deadly and life threatening if you are not prepared,” Mayor Adams said in Monday's press conference.

The mayor ended by encouraging "all New Yorkers to have a plan to beat the heat and make sure to check in on your neighbors, especially your older adult neighbors, to drink water, and to keep pets hydrated.”

Here's a list of spots to get relief during the heat wave: public beaches, pools, cooling centers and more.