Long Island is expected to see temperatures crawl higher starting Tuesday, with heat index values reaching mid-to-high 90s on Wednesday and around 100 on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
The agency has issued a heat advisory for Nassau and Suffolk counties for Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m. State and local officials are warning about the dangers of the extreme heat and publicizing the opening of community cooling centers and other ways to beat the heat.
“I am urging all New Yorkers to prepare for heat and humidity this week and to keep a close eye on the weather over the next couple of days,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. “As New Yorkers, we take care of one another, so please don’t forget to check on neighbors, especially seniors, those with young children, and people with disabilities.”
The National Weather Service issues a heat advisory when “the combination of heat and humidity is expected to make it feel like it is 95 to 99 degrees [Fahrenheit] for two or more consecutive days, or 100 to 104 degrees for any length of time.”
The following Nassau cooling centers are listed on New York State Department of Health website, and residents should call to make sure they are open:
- Cantiague Park Cantiague Park Administration Office – Conference Room, 480 West John St., Hicksville, 516-571-7058, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Mitchel Field Complex Admin. Center – First Floor, 1 Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Uniondale, 516-572-0400, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Wantagh Park Administration Building – Community Room, 1 King Rd., Wantagh, 516-571-7460, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
In addition, the Town of North Hempstead has announced that the following cooling centers will be open through Friday:
- “Yes We Can” Community Center, 141 Garden St., Westbury, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Clinton G. Martin Park, New Hyde Park Road & Marcus Avenue, New Hyde Park, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Town of Hempstead will hold a news conference Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at the Merrick Senior Center to inform residents about cooling centers.
Several towns are also extending hours at their pools and spray parks.
