High temps for the Fourth fall just shy of record for LI

Today’s sweltering heat on Long Island fell just short of the record books for the hottest Independence Day, National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Wunsch said. Islip climbed to a sweltering 96 degrees, Wunsch said — just one degree shy of the 97 degree record high recorded there in 1966 and 2010.

Independence Day celebrations and fireworks displays tonight could be disrupted by thunderstorms on Long Island, as the region remains gripped by sweltering heat. An extreme heat warning remained in effect for most of the region until 9 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Wunsch said storms developing over Pennsylvania were expected to track east and then southeast toward the New York City area and Long Island.

“I know a lot of people are out today, but it does look like there’s a pretty good chance that we’re going to see strong to severe thunderstorms at some point this evening,” Wunsch said.