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By: Meyer Wolfsheim
New Yorkers may want to enjoy the final stretch of mild spring weather while they still can, because forecasters are warning that a dangerous early-season heat wave is about to slam the city and much of the East Coast with sweltering temperatures more typical of mid-July than mid-May..
The NY Post reported that temperatures across the NYC region are expected to soar into the 90s early next week as a powerful heat dome settles over the eastern half of the United States, trapping hot air and creating potentially oppressive conditions throughout the tri-state area.
According to the NY Post, meteorologists are forecasting highs around 95 degrees in New York City on Tuesday, with temperatures remaining near 92 degrees on Wednesday before cooler air finally begins moving into the region later in the week.
Forecasters say the sudden jump in temperatures could come as a shock to residents who have recently been dealing with unusually cool spring conditions. The NY Post reported that AccuWeather senior meteorologist Carl Erickson warned the abrupt transition from breezy spring weather to intense summer-like heat may catch many people off guard.
“It’s going to be shock because it will happen so suddenly,” Erickson told the NY Post, noting that average temperatures in mid-May are usually in the low 70s rather than the mid-90s.
Humidity is also expected to make the conditions even worse. Meteorologists warned that the combination of high temperatures and sticky moisture levels could push “feels-like” temperatures into the triple digits in some parts of the region.
The National Weather Service said the scorching conditions are being driven by a sprawling dome of high pressure parked over the eastern United States. The system acts like a massive atmospheric lid, suppressing clouds and storms while allowing the sun to relentlessly heat the ground below.
The NY Post reported that parts of North Jersey could also approach historic temperature records. Forecast models reportedly show temperatures near Teterboro Airport climbing into the low 90s, while Newark could challenge longstanding daily records that date back to 1962.
New York City’s record high for May 19 stands at 99 degrees, which was set more than six decades ago in 1962. The May 20 record of 96 degrees was established in 1996, according to the NY Post report.
The heat wave is not expected to impact only the Northeast. Forecasters say a massive stretch of the country from the Mid-Atlantic through the Carolinas will also endure unusually hot temperatures throughout the week, with some cities flirting with record highs.
Public health officials often warn that early-season heat waves can be especially dangerous because many people have not yet acclimated to high temperatures. Elderly residents, young children, and people with underlying medical conditions are typically considered most vulnerable during extreme heat events.
