Heat index may hit 100 degrees later this week
All summer, New Yorkers can find a place to cool off on the NYC Cool Options map
During extreme heat, hundreds of cooling centers are activated across all five boroughs and outreach to vulnerable neighbors intensifies
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today released a video PSA urging New Yorkers to take steps now to prepare for extreme heat throughout the summer. The City is readying for extreme heat as soon as this week. On Thursday and Friday, heat indices could reach into the high 90s and potentially 100 degrees. With the increased humidity, scattered showers on Thursday and thunderstorms on Friday are possible. The City is taking a whole-of-government approach to not only warn New Yorkers of extreme heat but prepare and keep them safe.
During periods of extreme heat, New Yorkers are urged to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during peak heat hours and seek air-conditioned spaces whenever possible. Residents should check on vulnerable neighbors — especially older adults — and loved ones, recognize the warning signs of heat illness and help others who may be at greater risk. Call 911 immediately if you or someone you know has hot dry skin, trouble breathing, rapid heartbeat, confusion, disorientation, dizziness, nausea or vomiting. Never leave children, adults or pets in cars.
Stay informed by signing up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency communications program, by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 and visiting nyc.gov/beattheheat f
“There is nothing more important in extreme heat than connecting our neighbors with safe, air-conditioned spaces to cool off and ride out the dangerous conditions,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Do your part now to prepare yourself and your community for the extreme heat we’re sure to see this summer. Help your auntie set up her air-conditioning. Install an indoor thermometer for the senior down the hall. Show your friends how to find one of the City’s cooling centers online. Whatever you do, do not underestimate extreme heat. Hot summer days can turn deadly fast.”
“City agencies are ready to respond to a summer of celebrations, and that includes quickly mobilizing to help New Yorkers stay safe in extreme heat,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “When a heat emergency hits, we activate hundreds of cooling centers, dispatch teams across all five boroughs to connect New Yorkers with safe, air-conditioned spaces and make sure planned events are ready to pivot to protect the health and well-being of attendees. New Yorkers can contribute too by checking in on one another, connecting neighbors with cool spaces and staying vigilant for signs of heat illness.”
“As our city prepares for a heat emergency, it is critical that we keep our fellow New Yorkers, especially older adults and homeless individuals, safe and — for those who need to cool down — help locate one of the hundreds of cooling centers across New York City,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. “Our administration is encouraging everyone to remain attentive and call 311 if you require assistance. If someone is exhibiting severe symptoms, like confusion or vomiting, we ask that you call 911 immediately to connect them with the medical care they need. Together, we can keep our friends, families and neighbors healthy and cool during this bout of extreme heat.”
“When extreme heat hits New York City, working people are among the most vulnerable. For workers, heat is not just inconvenient or uncomfortable, it can be deadly,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. “That’s why every City agency moves together — and that coordination saves lives. Our cooling centers open, our outreach teams deploy and our healthcare system stands ready, all at once. Deputy Mayor Kerson, Deputy Mayor Arteaga and I are proud to work alongside every corner of this administration to make sure that when temperatures rise, New Yorkers have somewhere safe to go and someone looking out for them.”
“As another early-season heat wave is expected to impact New York City, it is crucial that everyone take steps to beat the heat; make a plan and learn about the cooling options available citywide,” said New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) Commissioner Christina Farrell. “Climate change is making dangerously hot weather more frequent, intense and longer-lasting. Stay cool by turning on your air conditioner or visiting a cooling center. High heat can be dangerous; look out for each other, especially older adults, children and anyone with chronic health conditions. Learn the signs of heat stroke.”
NYCEM declares a heat emergency when the National Weather Service forecasts a heat index of 95 degrees or higher for at least two consecutive days or 100 degrees or higher at any point. Once the Heat Emergency Plan is triggered, the City launches a coordinated interagency response across all five boroughs.
Key actions include directing New Yorkers to cool options and activating cooling centers; expanding outreach to residents at highest risk; increasing public information efforts; strengthening coordination with healthcare providers, community organizations and utilities; and monitoring health impacts in real time.
Cool Options and Cooling Centers
In New York City, most heat-related deaths occur after prolonged exposure to heat indoors without air conditioning. Air conditioning remains the most effective way to stay safe during extreme heat, though many New Yorkers at highest risk may not have access to or use air conditioning.
New Yorkers are encouraged to find a cool option — which can be a friend or family member’s home, a café, a museum, a mall or a public place like an official NYC Cooling Center. During a heat emergency, the City opens hundreds of free cooling centers at its public hospitals, libraries, older adult centers and other public locations across all five boroughs.
New Yorkers can find a nearby place to cool off, including cooling centers during heat emergencies and accessible and pet-friendly locations, by visiting the City’s Cool Options Map or calling 311. Service animals are always permitted. New York City provides cool options and heat safety resources in every neighborhood, while also prioritizing communities facing the greatest health risks from extreme heat, as identified by the NYC Heat Vulnerability Index (HVI).
In addition to cooling centers, the City offers outdoor cooling resources, including spray showers and drinking fountains, through Cool It! NYC.
Public beaches are free and open daily with lifeguards on duty between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Swimming in restricted areas or when a lifeguard is not on duty is prohibited and very dangerous. The City’s free outdoor pools open for the season on June 27 and will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Adults 18 and older can obtain a free City-approved spray cap from their local firehouse (with valid ID) to turn fire hydrants into sprinklers. Spray caps regulate hydrant flow to a safe 25 gallons per minute. When hydrants are opened without authorization, they waste 1,000 gallons of water per minute and unleash water forceful enough to risk harming children in particular. Illegally opened hydrants also lower water pressure to residents, businesses and critical facilities and can compromise firefighting operations in an emergency. New Yorkers should report leaking, running or illegally opened hydrants to 311.
Outreach to Vulnerable New Yorkers
Older adults, homeless New Yorkers and people with chronic health conditions are more likely to experience adverse effects from extreme heat. During a heat emergency, New York City issues targeted alerts through the City’s Advanced Warning System to activate healthcare providers and community organizations to ensure those at highest risk are protected.
The City also issues a Code Red Alert, directing the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) to intensify outreach operations and encourage homeless individuals to access cool, safe indoor spaces. Outreach teams also distribute water and other essential supplies. Anyone who sees a person experiencing homelessness who may need assistance is encouraged to call 311.
Celebrating on a Hot Summer Day
Summer is New York City’s busiest season for public events, and the city builds heat safety into the permitting process. Through the Mayor’s Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management (CECM) and its Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO), organizers planning street festivals, plaza activations and large outdoor gatherings must have safety plans in place that include weather hazards. For events held during periods of extreme heat, the City requires event plans to account for keeping people hydrated and clear procedures for recognizing and responding to heat illness. NYCEM and partner agencies share forecast guidance and information about City resources so organizers can adjust schedules, programming and on-site support when a heat advisory or heat emergency is in effect.
“Hot weather is not just uncomfortable, it can be deadly, especially for our most vulnerable neighbors. As we face earlier and more intense heat emergencies, it’s critical that New Yorkers take proactive steps to protect themselves and each other, and with Mayor Mamdani’s new PSA, we’re reminding more New Yorkers do so,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin. “Stay hydrated, seek air-conditioned spaces and check in on older adults, those with chronic health conditions and others at higher risk. Together, we can prevent heat-related illnesses and save lives this summer.”
“This summer will bring record-breaking heat and millions of visitors to our city, and the public health care system is ready,” said NYC Health + Hospitals System Chief of Acute Care and Emergency Preparedness Dr. David Silvestri. “All 11 of our hospitals will serve as cooling centers during Code Red heat emergencies — free, safe, welcoming spaces where anyone can come in to get relief from the heat. Heat illness can escalate quickly: early symptoms like heavy sweating, dizziness and muscle cramps can progress to life-threatening heat stroke if ignored. We urge anyone feeling the effects of extreme heat to get indoors, cool down, drink cold water and seek medical attention immediately if symptoms worsen. Our doors are open to anyone in need, without exception. We are committed to keeping the city cool and ensuring no one faces this heat alone.”
“Extreme heat can pose serious health risks for older adults, which is why NYC Aging works closely with our City partners to ensure older New Yorkers have the information and resources they need to stay safe,” said Department for the Aging Commissioner Dr. Lisa Scott-McKenzie. “During heat emergencies, our network of older adult centers serves as cooling centers, offering safe, air-conditioned spaces throughout the five boroughs. We encourage older adults, caregivers, family members and neighbors to plan ahead, check in on one another and take advantage of the cooling options available across the city.”
“Extreme temperatures can become dangerous very quickly,” said Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore. “The FDNY is prepared for this busy summer, and our EMTs, Paramedics, Firefighters and Officers are ready to respond whenever New Yorkers need us. We urge everyone to take precautions to help prevent life threatening emergencies and save lives.”
“At NYC Parks, we provide a variety of ways to help New Yorkers deal with extreme heat — our free public beaches are open every day this summer, there are thousands of drinking fountains and hundreds of spray showers in our parks and we maintain the city’s tree canopy, providing essential shade for our city,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “Starting on June 27, our outdoor pools will offer yet another free way to beat the heat. By taking steps to prepare for extreme heat, New Yorkers can ensure they can have a safe, fun and cool summer.”
“During extreme heat, it’s critical that New Yorkers stay safe and hydrated by drinking NYC's clean and delicious tap water. Also, remember it is dangerous to illegally open fire hydrants as it puts entire neighborhoods at risk,” said DEP Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia. “An illegally opened hydrant wastes more than 1,000 gallons of water per minute and sharply reduces water pressure for homes, businesses and firefighters responding to emergencies. We urge everyone to use City-approved spray caps and report illegally opened hydrants to 311. These simple steps will safeguard our water supply and help keep communities cool.”
“Extreme heat is one of the most urgent climate threats facing New York City, where over 500 people die each year due to hot weather. With this summer forecasted to be hotter than average, the City is investing $2 billion in projects that protect New Yorkers from extreme heat where they live, work and spend their free time. From safer homes and cooler neighborhoods to stronger worker protections, we are building a more resilient city for all,” said NYC Chief Climate Officer Louise Yeung.
“LinkNYC’s partnership with the Mamdani administration reflects a long-term commitment to keeping New Yorkers connected to the information and services they need,” said Nick Colvin, CEO of LinkNYC. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration and serving as vital communications infrastructure for the City in the years ahead.”
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