Watch CBS News

Newark Hits Record-High 102; Excessive Heat Warning Until Late Friday

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Hot, hazy, humid and downright sticky -- that's what Tri-State Area residents were dealing with Thursday. The stifling conditions will only get worse Friday before they get better early next week.

WCBS 880's Sean Adams: The Heat Can Kill

Podcast

An excessive heat warning is in effect until 10 p.m. Friday as temperatures hit the high 90s and even passed the 100-degree mark in parts of our area on Thursday.

Check Your Local Forecast: Radar Forecast & Alerts | Traffic & Transit Guide | On-Air: 1010 WINS | WCBS 880

Newark hit a record 102 degrees on Thursday.  Teterboro, N.J., reached 100 degrees and Central Park hit a high of 97.  With the humidity factored in, the mercury in the park actually felt more like 109.

"I just took a cold shower, been drinking lots of water, lots of Gatorade. It's been crazy, though.  This heat wave is nuts," one Newark resident told CBS 2's Derricke Dennis.

Related Guides: Free Beaches | Public Pools | AC Hideouts

Newark Mayor Cory Booker was urging residents to cool off in one of the city's four cooling centers.

The National Weather Service said the combination of the heat and humidity would make it feel as hot as 110 degrees on Friday and Saturday.

"More people die from heat each year than from all other natural disasters combined," said New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley. "Certain people are particularly vulnerable to the heat. Those are the elderly, particularly those who have chronic diseases, such as heart disease or lung disease or kidney disease, people taking multiple medications that may make it difficult for them to sweat normally."

WCBS 880's Rich Lamb With NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley

Podcast

The Office of Emergency Management and the Health Department teamed up to remind people to take it easy in this extreme heat.

"Keeping yourself safe is easy. Avoid prolonged exposure to heat and sun, wear light-colored clothing and drink plenty of water," said OEM commission Joe Bruno. "In other words, stay hydrated at all times and if you have to work outside, take it slow and take as many breaks as possible."

WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reports: Working In The Heat

Podcast

There are 500 cooling centers throughout the five boroughs and some will be open for extended hours through Saturday. For information about cooling centers near you, call 3-1-1 or click here.

Cooling centers are also open in Nassau County.

Jones Beach Boardwalk
The boardwalk at Jones Beach - Wantagh, NY - Jul 21, 2011 (credit: Sophia Hall / WCBS 880)

On Long Island, Jones Beach is a place to hit the boardwalk, close your eyes and enjoy the cool breeze from the Atlantic Ocean.

"Delightful. It's beautiful here. You have the wind. You have peace. I live in Queens. I come here," one man said.

1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reports: Cool Breeze Like Icing On A Cake 

Podcast

This hazy hot and humid weather is also great for business at the Beach Shoppe.

"We stocked up on lot of water. Our water guy came in yesterday and gave us tons of cases of water. So, we'll be full of that, keep them really cold," one woman told WCBS 880 reporter Sophia Hall. "And then we have a lot of boogie boards that we sell."

WCBS 880's Sophia Hall At Jones Beach

Podcast

In Connecticut, when the doors part, commuters say they can feel the cool air billowing out on to the platform. The air conditioning seems to be working, at least on the trains in Stamford.

"It kicks in after five minutes. I was pleasantly surprised about that," said one rider.

Of course, that isn't always the case.

"There was no air conditioning on the whole train," said another rider. "That was a rough afternoon."

WCBS 880's Paul Murnane With Commuters On The New Haven Line

Podcast

"The air conditioning was completely off from Pelham all the way up to Stamford," said commuter Bill McManus. "Then one day I got on and people were getting off the car before we left the station. It was like a hot box and it smelled of urine."

If you're heading underground to get where you're going, be prepared. When temperatures above ground hit the upper 90s, it can be in the triple digits on the subway platform.

CBS 2's Lou Young found temperature readings consistently in the mid 90s in the subway station at Columbus Circle. Young also noted a 12-degree temperature differential from the platform to the subway car.

"It is extremely hot down here and the temperature is going to be hotter tomorrow," said subway rider Lauretta Hoffler. "I don't want be here."

WCBS 880's Catherine Cioffi Gets Refreshed In Armonk

Podcast

The Tri-state isn't the only area that's been hit with this massive heat wave. The midwest has been sweating it out for more than a week.

Forty out of the 50 states have hit at least 90 degree temperatures in the last two days and has been blamed for more than a dozen deaths.

Is this heat driving you wild? Please offer your thoughts in the comments section below.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.