NYC ties record high on Day 2 of expected heat wave
New York City Thursday tied the record high temperature of 100 degrees set on this date in 1966.
The last time we hit 100 degrees in Central Park was in 2012.
In the Bronx, New York City Emergency Management reported the temperature at 107 degrees.
Sweltering temperatures roasted New York City, New Jersey and Connecticut for day two of what's expected to be a heat wave.
It takes three days above 90 degrees for a heat wave to be made official. The forecast calls for that kind of heat all the way through Saturday. More record temperatures are possible.
For that reason, we have First Alert Weather Days through July 4.
Extreme heat warnings and advisories
An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect through Saturday for the entire area, with temperatures expected to feel like 105-115 degrees.
There's was also an Air Quality Alert for New York City and other parts of the area for ground level ozone Thursday.
Click here for the latest weather warnings, watches and advisories.
Mamdani asks New Yorkers to set thermostats to 78 degrees
Amid the sweltering heat and high humidity, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is urging New Yorkers to conserve energy. He's asking New Yorkers to set thermostats at 78 degrees, and did the same thing at Gracie Mansion. It's the same request prior mayors have made during high heat.
Mamdani responded to criticism by some on social media who said 78 degrees was too high.
"I'm sticking with it because this is a long-standing city policy through multiple administrations. We're also following the guidance of the U.S. Department of Energy. I myself set my thermostat to 78 degrees. Let me tell you, 78 hits different when you're looking at 112 outside," Mamdani said.
Gov. Kathy Hochul asked New Yorkers to conserve electricity, but she had a slightly different temperature target for their air conditioners.
"Due to the increase in energy demand and unexpected load challenges, I am also calling on New Yorkers to do their part to proactively conserve electricity if safe to do so by setting air conditioning units between 75 - 78 degrees and avoiding unnecessary appliance use. These small steps can go a long way," Hochul said. "While we are asking for New Yorkers to voluntarily conserve power, it's critical to stay safe in this dangerous heat: stay hydrated, reduce time outdoors and find a cooling center near you, especially if you're a senior citizen or have health concerns."
Con Edison power outages and reductions
Thousands of Con Edison customers lost power Thursday, and some had their power reduced to conserve energy.
Con Ed said crews restored service to nearly 31,000 customers, and late Thursday evening, about 16,000 were still without power in parts of Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.
The utility also urged customers to conserve energy and reduced voltage by 8% in parts of Staten Island, northern Queens, Westchester County, the northeast Bronx and City Island. They said reducing power helps manage the grid during heat waves.
Click here to check Con Ed's current outage map.
Trying to stay cool
In heat like this, libraries and museums become cooling centers, and fire hydrants become sprinklers. New York City's Department of Environmental Protection provided a demonstration of spray cap installation. Those spray caps can be picked up at local firehouses. Officials want people to use spray caps instead of opening up the hydrant entirely, which can create water pressure problems throughout a neighborhood.
Mamdani urged New Yorkers to stay cool and indoors during the high heat.
"I couldn't even sleep in my bedroom last night," said Virginia Vargas, a NYCHA tenant at 50 Amsterdam Avenue on the West Side, said.
Vargas said a flooded apartment above hers led to a sparking fuse box, which led to a temporary replacement that has enough power to supply her fans and refrigerator, but not her air conditioner. Her appointment for an electrician to come and fix it is set for September, she said.
When she told a NYCHA employee about it, the advice she said she received was to contact the news media.
"NYCHA electricians have been dispatched to the resident's apartment to survey and begin making the necessary repairs immediately," a NYCHA spokesperson told CBS News New York after we contacted them about it.
Fourth of July forecast
There will be no real relief from the hazy, hot and humid conditions. Highs will be in the upper 90s, but it will again feel like 100 degrees or more.
Unfortunately, the chances of showers and thunderstorms are also increasing for the Fourth of July. We now anticipate a 60% chance of storms, and it's possible they might interfere with the Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks.
