As you sweatily read this article amidst NYC’s heatwave, you’ll want to know that Central Park hasn’t seen temperatures this hot since 2012! If you’re hoping to evade the sun’s heat radiating off NYC’s towering buildings, Central Park won’t provide much relief.
Temperatures taken from a thermometer located at Central Park’s Belvedere Castle read 99°F just before 1:30pm, first reported The New York Times. The park hasn’t reached temperatures this high for the last 13 years. A 99°F day was last recorded on July 18, 2012.
Some experts predicted that Central Park’s temperature would crawl even higher, with city temperatures forecasted to rival Death Valley. NYC was even hotter than the Sahara this week!
The highest recorded temperature to date in Central Park occurred on July 9th, 1936, when it reached a searing 106°F.
However, some areas of NYC did see temperatures in the triple digits, as both JFK and EWR reported reaching 102°F today.
The heat wave is expected to continue through Wednesday, with temperatures forecasted to hit 97°F, and Central Park specifically forecasted to reach a high of around 94°F. By Friday, temperatures are expected to drop down into the high 60s, granting some reprieve from this sweltering week.
The city of New York recommends beating the heat by making a plan, gathering supplies and staying informed. NYC advises residents to recognize the signs of heat illness, such as dizziness, weakness, muscle cramps and so on. If a resident does not have an AC unit, the city urges those to seek shelter at a friend’s or a public place with air conditioning. If you must be outdoors, try to avoid strenuous physical activity, drink lots of water, use sunscreen and wear loose-fitting clothes. You can find even more tips on the city’s website.