Appropriately kicking off summer, New York City’s first heat wave has arrived. According to the National Weather Service, high heat and humidity are likely starting Sunday through Wednesday, with the heat idex ranging from 100 to 105 across most of the region. The city will open more than 500 cooling centers across the five boroughs on Sunday, providing air-conditioned public spaces for New Yorkers to stay safe from the extreme heat. The interactive “cool options” map displays both indoor cooling centers and outdoor options, like playgrounds with spray showers and water features.
“Extreme heat will not just be uncomfortable and oppressive for New Yorkers this coming week, it will be brutal and it will be dangerous,” Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement Friday.
“Whether it is an air-conditioned space, such as your home, a friend’s or family member’s home, a library, or a museum, find a way to stay cool. Stay hydrated, check on your elderly family members and neighbors, and make sure your pets have all the water they need. By acting smart, we will get through this heat.”
Public libraries, community facilities, senior centers, and other sites will offer a spot to cool off. Those without air conditioning in their homes, the elderly, and those who are pregnant are especially vulnerable to extreme heat. Petcos across the city will become cooling centers for pets and their owners.
Other places to beat this heat for free this week include spray showers at the city’s parks, playgrounds, and beaches. Those 18 and older can ask your local firehouse to uncap a fire hydrant and have it fitted spray cap, one way New Yorkers have been cooling off since 1896.
Find water fountains, open fire hydrants, and shady blocks by using this map from the NYC Parks Department.
Note, that the city’s outdoor public pools are not open until June 27.
The heat will continue on Primary Election day, Tuesday, June 24. The city’s Board of Elections is delivering water and deploying fans to poll sites without air conditioning.
“Our top prority is the health and safety of our poll workers, and the proper functioning of our poll sites,” Vincent M. Ignizio, deputy executive director of the Board of Elections, said. “While voters generally spend only a few minutes at a polling place, our poll workers serve on the front lines for up to 17 hours. This is fundamentally a facilities and workforce challenge, and we are treating it with the urgency it deserves.”
To find a cooling center near you, just enter your address or intersection into the map’s search bar. The map labels all cooling centers, with those that are totally accessible marked with a wheelchair. Be sure to check the map daily as hours differ among centers. The interactive map can be found here >>
For more information about the locations and hours of operation for cooling centers, contact 311. Find more health and safety tips to protect against extreme heat here >>
Editor’s Note: This story was originally published on July 17, 2019, and has been updated.
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