Saturday’s heat a record-breaker for LI
Giulia Mastronicola, 13, of North Babylon, is sprayed by Mia McCandless, 13, of West Islip, on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, during a car wash by the Babylon-based Royal Dance Center competition team at Hassell Auto Body in West Babylon. Credit: Barry Sloan
Long Islanders sweated through record-setting heat Saturday for the second straight day, with the 93 degrees set at Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma besting the previous mark for the date — and an eye-popping heat index that soared above 100, the National Weather Service said.
And get ready for a sweltering Sunday.
“We are expecting the oppressive heat and humidity to continue into tomorrow,” weather service meteorologist Joe Pollina said. “We’re looking at a high of 95 in Islip.”
The record temperature, set at 1:02 p.m., was 1 degree above the 92 degrees set on the date in 2002.
As for the heat index — that sticky measure of heat plus relative humidity — the highest measured Saturday on the Island was 108 at Farmingdale at 3 p.m., Pollina said.
At that time, the index in New York City was above 110 in Central Park, 111 at LaGuardia Airport and 112 at Kennedy International Airport.
Typically, temperatures don’t exceed 81 degrees at Ronkonkoma this time of year, the weather service said.
The weather service is forecasting a high Sunday of about 95 degrees. The record for the date at Ronkonkoma is 89, set in 2005.
Overnight lows are expected to drop into the upper 70s into Sunday and mid-70s into Monday.
Monday appears to be the day that will spell some relief, with a cold front moving toward the area. The high that day is expected to be about 90.
“We are looking at a little less hot and humid, but still above normal,” Pollina said.
Javier Zavala, 2, of Bay Shore, cools off with his mom, Angelica Cantusosa, 21, at the Ellsworth Allen Splash Park in Farmingdale on a hot and humid Friday afternoon, Aug. 12, 2016. Credit: Danielle Finkelstein
Tuesday is expected to be cooler still, with highs in the mid-80s.
An excessive heat warning for Nassau and western Suffolk counties and a heat advisory for eastern Suffolk are in effect through 10 p.m. Sunday. By afternoon, temperatures will feel like 105 to 110 degrees in the warning area, according to the service.
News 12 Long Island meteorologist Matt Hammer said, “It’s advised to not spend a long duration of time outdoors today and stay in an air-conditioned environment if possible.”
Long Islanders — especially those with chronic health problems and heat sensitivity — are encouraged to stay cool and minimize time spent outside, according to the warning, and those who are outside should drink plenty of water and wear light, loose clothing.
The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is offering extended hours at its parks and swimming facilities through Sunday.
TO KEEP COOL
The state Department of Health offered some recommendations to stay safe in the heat:
- Be on the lookout for signs of heat-related illness, such as hot, dry skin, heavy sweating and muscle cramps.
- Minimize outdoor activity, drink plenty of water and try to stay in an air-conditioned place.
- Open shades and windows on the shady side of your residence and close them on the sunny side.
- Wear loose, lightweight and light-colored clothing.
- Wear sunscreen and a ventilated hat outdoors.
'I don't know what the big brouhaha is all about' Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman plan to deputize gun-owning county residents is progressing, with some having completed training. Opponents call the plan "flagrantly illegal." NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.
'I don't know what the big brouhaha is all about' Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman plan to deputize gun-owning county residents is progressing, with some having completed training. Opponents call the plan "flagrantly illegal." NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.
