Be prepared for “oppressive heat and humidity” to grip the region today through Saturday, with heat index values reaching as high as 101° locally, according to the National Weather Service forecast.
Western Suffolk, Nassau County and the New York City metro region will have heat index values as high as 104° today and possibly higher tomorrow.
The heat advisory in place for eastern Long Island today and tomorrow has been extended to 8 p.m. Saturday.
An excessive heat warning is in effect for NYC and may be extended into Saturday, the weather service said.
“The heat index is a measure of how hot it really feels when relative humidity is factored in with air temperature,” according to the weather service.
Temperatures are expected to climb into the low-90s in Riverhead with around 80% humidity.
“Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working [outdoors] or participating in outdoor activities,” the National Weather Service New York forecast office said in its 5 a.m. briefing today.
Ground-level ozone levels will be elevated and the State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an air quality health advisory for Long Island and the New York metro region. The air quality index for Riverhead today is forecast to reach 105, which is unhealthy for sensitive groups including children and teens, older adults, people with lung disease including asthma, and people who are active outdoors for six or more hours a day.
Riverhead Town will open the town senior center on Shade Tree Lane as a cooling center today and tomorrow, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Riverhead Police said in a weather advisory last night.
Riverhead Free Library will also be open Thursday until 8 p.m. and Friday until 5 p.m. All are welcome to stop in, cool down and read a book, according to the town’s advisory.
Town beaches at Wading River, Reeves Beach, Iron Pier and South Jamesport will be staffed with lifeguards until 6 p.m. on both days, the advisory said.
High heat index values can cause heat-related illnesses, which can have deadly consequences. The most extreme of these, heat stroke, is a medical emergency. It can cause organ failure, heart attacks and death.
People should watch for signs of heat exhaustion, including heavy sweating, dizziness, headaches, feeling tired or weak, rapid, weak pulse and cold, pale or clammy skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People experiencing these symptoms should get out of the heat, go indoors if air-conditioning is available or seek shade, sip water and place cool, wet cloths on their skin or take a cool bath.
Severe cases of heat exhaustion cause vomiting and neurological disturbance. People experiencing symptoms of heat exhaustion who begin vomiting should seek medical attention right, the CDC says.
Heat stroke occurs when the body temperature reaches 103° or more. Body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment, the CDC says. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include many of the same symptoms of heat exhaustion, plus, confusion, seizures and passing out
If symptoms of heat stroke occur, call 911 immediately. Help lower the person’s body temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath. Move the person to a cooler place. Do not give them anything to drink.
For more information on heat-related illness, visit the CDC website.
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