Brooklyn hit with another heat advisory: What you need to know

August 19, 2019 Meaghan McGoldrick

Manhattan Beach. Eagle file photo by Lore Croghan

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City officials are urging New Yorkers to keep cool Monday amid what feels like the hundredth Heat Advisory this hot, hot summer.

High heat and humidity are expected until about 8 p.m. tonight with heat index values as high as the upper 90s, according to the National Weather Service.

According to the agency, a Heat Advisory is issued when the combination of heat and humidity is expected to make it feel like it’s 95 to 99 degrees outside for two or more consecutive days — or 100 to 104 degrees for any length of time.

This isn’t the first red flag of the summer. On July 18, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced an emergency heat plan — and even cancelled OZY Fest, a two-day festival in Central Park. Organizers of the New York City Triathlon also called off their event ahead of the weekend.

While the mayor hasn’t cancelled any outdoor events or issued a heat emergency for this week, the New York City Emergency Management Department and Health Department issued a joint press release Monday morning with quick tips to beat the heat.

“The best ways to beat the heat are to stay cool and hydrated,” NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Deanne Criswell said in a statement. “Use air conditioning or visit a cooling center or other air-conditioned places, drink lots of water, and stay out of the sun as much as possible.”

“Extreme heat is potentially dangerous but New Yorkers can greatly reduce the risk of heat-related illness by following a few precautions,” Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot added. “Try to stay near air conditioning, wear light cool clothing, drink lots of water and try to avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day. Also, check in on friends, family members and neighbors who are sick, elderly, or disabled and may need assistance in a heat emergency.”

The most heat-related deaths occur in home without air conditioners, according to the agencies. With that in mind, cooling centers like libraries and senior centers are open to the public all day across the five boroughs. To find one near you, call 311 or visit NYC.gov/beattheheat.

It’s also important to conserve energy. Agency officials say that during periods of intense electrical usage, it’s important to use only what you need to avoid brownouts and other electrical disruptions — something Brooklyn has been no stranger to this summer. New Yorkers are encouraged to keep their air conditioners at 78 degrees or “low,” close doors to keep cool air in, and only run appliances in the early morning or late at night when its cooler outside.

High temperatures are also expected for Tuesday and Wednesday, though it is unclear what the heat index will look like those days.