Dangerously high temperatures begin today in New York City— expected to feel like triple digits— the start of a what’s expected to brutal heat wave lasting into next week. Here on the Upper East Side, neighbors who work outdoors are making changes to their plans as the City opens cooling centers and extends hours at public pools.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory in NYC from noon Wednesday through Thursday at 8:00 pm. The combination of high temperatures and high humidity can pose a greater risk to anyone outdoors, but especially seniors, infants and those with chronic health issues.
Heat stroke and heat exhaustion can be life-threatening, so if you can’t stay inside somewhere with air conditioning, the NYC Health Department recommends everyone follow these guidelines when spending time outdoors in the extreme heat.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity
- Drink plenty of water
- Stay in the shade
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothes
- Avoid drinks with alcohol, caffeine or sugar
Stefanía Bedoya is a dog trainer who spends her days working outdoors with pups across the city, she tells Upper East Site that on extremely hot days like this, “safety is the priority,” for both herself and the dogs she’s training.
“I keep the walks much shorter,” she explained.
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“What’s most important is to stay in the shade, and heat wave walks are no more than 30 minutes,” Bedoya added.
Meanwhile, one Upper East Side locksmith told us that staying home was the best plan for him– so you may want to make sure you don’t get locked out.
In response to the dangerous heat, NYC Parks is keeping public pools, like the one at John Jay Park— located on East 77th Street between York avenue and the FDR Drive— open for extended hours until 8:00 pm on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
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The City has also opened cooling centers across the five boroughs where anyone can stop in to get a break from the heat, including six locations right here on the UES— one of which is pet friendly.
96th Street Library
- 112 East 96th Street, between Lexington and Park Avenues
Petco (Pet Friendly)
- 1280 Lexington Avenue, near East 86th Street
Yorkville Library
- 222 East 79th Street, between Third and Second Avenues
Webster Library
- 1465 York Avenue, near East 78th Street
Lenox Hill Innovative Senior Center (for older adults)
- 343 East 70th Street, near First Avenue
67th Street Library
- 328 East 67th Street, between First and Second Avenues
All of the Upper East Side cooling centers are accessible to disabled New Yorkers, except the Yorkville Library.
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