Governor Hochul Urges New Yorkers to Prepare for Multiple Days of Extreme Heat

Some Places Could Experience ‘Feels-Like’ Temperatures Up To 110 Degrees

State Parks Open for Extended Hours at Swimming and Cooling Locations

Employers and Outdoor Workers Should Utilize Extreme Heat Best Practices

New Yorkers Can Sign Up for Weather and Emergency Alerts by Texting 333111

Governor Kathy Hochul today urged New Yorkers to prepare for a period of extreme heat starting Tuesday with "feels-like" temperatures expected to reach the 90s and low 100s across Western New York, and the high 80s to low 90s in eastern parts of the state and New York City. The heat is expected to increase Wednesday and Thursday with most of the state experiencing temperatures around or above 100 degrees, potentially up to 110 degrees in some areas. Extreme Heat Watches are currently in effect for the Capital Region, Long Island, Mid-Hudson, Mohawk Valley, New York City, and the Southern Tier.

“This week will bring dangerous heat all across the state, and my administration is taking action to ensure New Yorkers can safely enjoy our historic summer of activities,” Governor Hochul said. “New Yorkers should take the proper precautions to protect themselves and their families by staying hydrated, limiting time outdoors, and monitoring your local forecast. I also encourage everyone to check in on those most vulnerable and our elderly neighbors — one phone call or visit could save a life.”

Extreme heat is dangerous and is the leading cause of weather-related fatalities in the United States. The most common heat-related illnesses are heat stroke (sun stroke), heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash. Learn more about heat-related illness, including signs and symptoms and when to take action on the State Health Department’s extreme heat advice webpage.

People with heart or lung conditions (like asthma), young children, older adults and anyone who exercises or works hard outside should try to limit outdoor activity when ozone levels are high (usually in the afternoon to early evening). If you have symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing, you should talk to your doctor.

Tips to stay safe in extreme heat:

• Stay hydrated
• Avoid direct sunlight
• Seek air conditioning or shade
• Avoid strenuous outdoor activity, especially during the hottest hours of the day.
• Check in on older family members and neighbors
• Seek immediate medical attention if experiencing any symptoms of heat-related illnesses

New Yorkers should closely monitor their local forecasts and look for updates issued by the National Weather Service. For a complete listing of weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service website. New Yorkers should also ensure that government emergency alerts are enabled on their mobile phones. They should also sign up for real-time weather and emergency alerts that will be texted to their phones by texting their county or borough name to 333111.

Safety Tips for Children

• Never leave a child in an unattended vehicle in the warm weather, not even with the windows slightly open or down, due to the risk of heatstroke (hyperthermia).
• If you see a child in a hot car, call 911 right away and follow their instructions. Emergency personnel are trained to respond.
• Teach children not to play in or around vehicles and to alert an adult when a friend is playing in a vehicle without supervision. Make sure children understand the dangers of trunk entrapment (suffocation, heatstroke, etc.).
• Place something you need, like keys, a purse or bag, or your cell phone, next to your child's car seat so you will remember to check the backseat before you lock the car. Alternatively, place a stuffed toy in your child’s car seat when not in use and move the toy to the front passenger seat when your child is in his/her car seat as a reminder that your child is in the vehicle.
• Use drive-through services whenever possible while driving with a child in a vehicle.
• It is vital to recognize the symptoms of heatstroke in children. Symptoms include absence of sweat, confusion, disorientation, flushed skin, loss of alertness, unconsciousness or rapid/shallow breathing.

Pet Safety

New Yorkers should also plan accordingly for pet care to ensure pet safety during periods of extreme heat:

• Never leave a pet unattended in the car. Like children, dogs and other animals have a harder time staying cool, leaving them extremely vulnerable to heatstroke. A car can overheat even when the window has been left cracked an inch or two. Parking in the shade or leaving water in the vehicle won’t prevent your pet from overheating, either. If you see a pet in a hot car, call 911 immediately.
• According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), young, overweight or senior animals or those with short muzzles or thick or dark coats are most at risk for overheating.
• Provide ample water indoors and outdoors.
• Limit outdoor activity, and if outdoors, rest in shaded areas regularly.
• Be mindful of pavement temperatures — hot surfaces may cause burns on paws, so consider walking on grass or using pet boots.
• Never leave pets in vehicles unattended when heat is a risk.
• Know the signs of heatstroke in pets including excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, vomiting and stumbling.

Extended Hours at State Parks

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has extended hours at state swimming and cooling facilities and other state parks during the current heat wave to help New Yorkers beat the heat. Swimming availability may be affected by hazardous weather, changing water conditions or staffing. Please check State Parks’ website or call the park you wish to visit directly to confirm availability.

The following State Park swimming facilities will be open for extended hours:

Capital Region

• Grafton Lakes State Park: Monday, June 26 through Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saratoga Spa State Park: Peerless Pool & Victoria Pool: Tuesday, June 30 through Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Thompsons Lake Campground: Monday, June 26 through Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Moreau Lake State Park: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday July 2 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Lake Taghkanic State Park: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Copake Falls: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Central New York

• Cayuga Lake State Park: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday July 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Selkirk Shores State Park: Monday, June 29 through Friday, July 3 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Fair Haven Beach State Park: Monday, June 29 through Friday, July 3 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Green Lakes State ParkTuesday, June 30 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Finger Lakes

• Seneca Lake State Park Spray Pad: Tuesday, June 30 through Friday, July 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.
• Letchworth State Park (North Pool): Monday, June 29 through Thursday, July 2 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Darien Lakes State Park: Monday, June 29 through Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Hamlin Beach State Park: Monday, June 29 through Thursday, July 2 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Hudson Valley

• High Tor State Park: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Rockland Lake State Park: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Lake Minnewaska State Park: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2 from 10:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
• Lake Awosting/Minnewaska State Park: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Lake Welch/Harriman State Park: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
• Lake Tiorati/Harriman State Park: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park Pool: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Fahnestock State Park: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Long Island

• Jones Beach – Field 6, Central Mall, Field 2: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Jones Beach – West Bathhouse: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Robert Moses State Park – Fields 2, 3, and 5: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sunken Meadow State Park – Main Beach: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Hither Hills State Park: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Wildwood State Park: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Mohawk Valley

• Delta Lake State Park: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Minekill State Park: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

New York City

• Gantry Plaza State Park spraypad: Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. indoor and outdoor pool) (9 a.m. to 11 a.m. senior swim) (11 a.m. to 2 p.m. recreational swim all ages) (3 p.m. to 7 p.m. recreational swim all ages); Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3

North Country

• Southwick Beach State Park: Monday, June 29 through Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Westcott Beach State Park: Monday, June 29 through Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Robert Moses State Park (Massena, NY): Monday, June 29 through Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Pointe Au Roche State Park: Monday, June 29 and Wednesday, July 1 through Friday, July 3 from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Southern Tier

• Chenango Valley State Park, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Splash Pad from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 30 through Friday, July 3
• Taughannock Falls State Park: Tuesday, June 30 through Friday, July 3 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Buttermilk Falls State Park: Monday, June 29 through Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Robert H Treman State Park: Monday, June 29 through Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Western New York

• Allegany State Park - Red House Lake Beach and Quaker Lake Beach: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Fort Niagara State Park: Tuesday, June 30 through Thursday, July 2 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Long Point on Lake Chautauqua State Park: Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Hiking Safety

DEC reminds outdoor adventurers that unpredictable weather — including rapidly changing temperatures and storms in the Adirondacks, Catskills, and other backcountry areas — can create unexpectedly hazardous conditions. Visitors should be prepared with proper clothing and equipment for rain, mud and warmer temperatures to ensure a safe outdoor experience.

Hikers in the Adirondacks are encouraged to check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for updates on trail conditions, seasonal road closures and general recreation information.

Hiking in the heat is always risky. New Yorkers and visitors should review the following tips to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke:

• Slow your pace
• Drink water and rest often
• Seek shade and avoid long periods in direct sunlight
• Bring at least 2 liters of water for any hike
• Bring a water filter, especially for longer hikes
• Bring salty snacks to keep your electrolytes in check
• Wear sunscreen
• Leave your pets at home — the heat is harder on them, especially walking on hot rocks
• Consider staying home yourself and rescheduling for another day when weather conditions improve

Even if the weather is forecast to be high heat all day, there’s always a chance of hypothermia due to a sudden storm or drop in temperatures. This can increase dramatically if you’re sweating and not wearing sweat-wicking clothing (made of fabrics like wool or polyester). Many cases of hypothermia are in the summer when people least expect it.

Whether you are hiking, mountain biking or paddling, Hike Smart NY can help you prepare with a list of 10 essentials, guidance on what to wear, and tips for planning your trip with safety and sustainability in mind. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. To request Forest Ranger assistance, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS.

Extreme Heat

New York State agencies recently announced new and continued investments to address extreme heat, prioritizing disadvantaged communities on the frontlines of heat exposure, new funding opportunities to create public cooling spaces, and expanded assistance to provide affordable cooling for New Yorkers at home. The efforts mark progress on New York State’s Extreme Heat Action Plan (EHAP), directed by Governor Hochul and first announced in June 2024 to address extreme heat impacts and prioritize State investments. Additional information about EHAP initiatives, including urban heat island mapping, is available on DEC’s website.