The Tri-State area will likely experience a terrible mix of extreme heat and scattered thunderstorms on Friday. The heat index will likely reach 100°F to 105°F, and strong storms are likely to start in the late afternoon.
From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service in New York says there is an Excessive Heat Watch in effect for northeast New Jersey. There are also Heat Advisories in effect for New York City, Long Island, and southwestern Connecticut. Officials say that the high heat index could make people who are already weak or who don’t have access to air conditioning or water sick.
The hottest parts of Friday are expected to be late morning and early evening. Storms in the afternoon and evening could bring damaging wind gusts of 58 mph or more, especially north and west of NYC. In places that don’t drain well, minor flooding is possible.
There shouldn’t be too much action outside. People are told to keep an eye on the elderly, drink plenty of water, and avoid being in the sun for long periods of time. You can also get caught in rip currents at beaches.
There may still be a chance of heat and storms on Saturday. The National Weather Service says to check for updates by Thursday morning at 6 a.m. to see if there are any new or stronger alerts.
