Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYC activates cooling centers during late summer heat wave
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Sep 5, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
National Weather Service
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Sep 5, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
An unusual post-Labor Day heat wave is blanketing the Big Apple this week, spurring a heat advisory for the region and making it feel more like July than back-to-school season.
“Folks are already probably on to fall and are thinking we're done with this, so to speak, but that’s certainly not the case this year,” said meteorologist Dominic Ramunni from the National Weather Service.
The projected highs for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Central Park are all expected to be around 91, with Wednesday slightly higher at 92, according to the National Weather Service. But added humidity will make things feel even hotter.
“Max heat indices basically each day can top out close to the 100 degree mark in some spots, so obviously this is some of the hottest weather we've seen,” Ramunni said. “It might be some of the hottest air that we've dealt with this year.”
In a rare post-Labor Day move, New York City has opened 500 cooling centers throughout the five boroughs for residents to beat the heat in air-conditioned spaces. Con Edison urged New York customers to use energy wisely to avoid potential overloads to the grid.
The temperatures could break records if they soar past 93 or 94 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing with them concerns for vulnerable populations.
“Heat is one of the biggest weather killers out there,” Ramunni said, encouraging New Yorkers to practice “heat safety” outdoors by staying hydrated, taking breaks in the shade and staying away from strenuous exercise during the hottest hours of the day.
Con Edison said there was a possibility of scattered outages as people crank up the AC.
“Heat, humidity and increased demand for electricity to power air conditioners can cause strain on the system and lead to scattered outages,” said spokesperson Allan Drury. “Con Edison crews are prepared to respond to any service problems that arise due to the unusual September heat hitting the area this week.”
To save money and energy, the company recommends that customers close off unoccupied rooms, set air conditioners to the highest comfortable temperatures, keep blinds and curtains closed, and run appliances like ovens, dishwashers and washing machines in the early morning or night when outdoor temps are cooler.
It might be some of the hottest air that we've dealt with this year.
National Weather Service meteorologist Dominic Ramunni
While summer is technically not over for another few weeks, September heat waves are somewhat unusual: Ramunni explained that only about one in 10 Septembers feature the required three days at or above 90 degrees that constitute an official heat wave.
About one in six years have no heat waves at all, according to statistics from the National Weather Service from the last 150 years.
In this case, the slow-moving heat bubble is the result of an anomalous jet-stream ridge over the U.S. which Ramunni said has some connections to the remnants of Hurricane Idalia as it churns over the ocean and keeps the warmth from continuing to move eastward.
Find a cooling center near you here.
Tagged
public safety
weather
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
In East Brooklyn, aging NYCHA homes get a $636M upgrade
The improvements to at the Reid & Park Rock developments come has the agency wrestles with a multibillion-dollar backlog in needed repairs.
By
Willow Higgins
Published Oct 26, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
What NYers can expect as open enrollment for health insurance begins
Some consumers will face higher prices partly brought on by federal spending cuts.
By
Caroline Lewis
News
What NYers can expect as open enrollment for health insurance begins
Some consumers will face higher prices partly brought on by federal spending cuts.
By
Caroline Lewis
Why New Yorkers should care about bats beyond spooky season
By
Catalina Gonella
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .