New York City is officially entering a Heat Emergency as one of the most dangerous stretches of extreme heat in years settles over the region, with temperatures climbing into the upper 90s, heat index values expected to soar as high as 109–112 degrees, and very little overnight relief through the Fourth of July weekend.
In response, city officials are rolling out an unprecedented heat emergency plan to help New Yorkers stay safe.
Hundreds of cooling centers are opening across the five boroughs, new mobile cooling vans will deliver water and medical care to vulnerable residents, public pools will stay open later than usual, and even LinkNYC kiosks will now guide people to the nearest cooling center in real time.
Officials are urging everyone to take the heat seriously by staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day, checking on elderly neighbors and loved ones, and seeking air-conditioned spaces whenever possible.
What is a Heat Emergency?
New York City’s Heat Emergency Plan is activated when prolonged, dangerous heat is expected to pose a significant risk to public health. This week’s forecast calls for several consecutive days of triple-digit heat index values, prompting city officials to launch one of the most extensive heat responses in recent history.
Cooling centers are opening across NYC
Beginning Wednesday, hundreds of free cooling centers are open throughout all five boroughs, including:
- Public libraries
- NYC Health + Hospitals facilities
- Older adult centers
- Community centers
- Select NYC Public Schools
- Other city buildings
For the first time, Health Action Centers and Overdose Prevention Centers are also serving as cooling centers.
Special extended-hour cooling locations include:
- Javits Center (11 a.m.–11 p.m., July 3–5)
- NYC Emergency Management Headquarters (11 a.m.–11 p.m., July 3–5)
New Yorkers can find the nearest cooling center by calling 311, using the city’s Cool Options Map, or simply checking a nearby LinkNYC kiosk, where more than 2,200 kiosks are now displaying walking directions to the closest cooling center within a 10-minute walk.
New cooling vans will bring relief directly to vulnerable New Yorkers
One of the biggest additions to this year’s response is the launch of Cooling Outreach On-Location (COOL) vans.
These mobile units, staffed by nurses and other medical professionals, will provide:
- Cold water and electrolytes
- Sunscreen and cooling towels
- Medical wellness checks
- Transportation to cooling centers or hospitals if needed
Separate in-home wellness teams will also visit older adults enrolled through NYC Aging to ensure they have what they need to safely get through the heat.
Pools, beaches and spray showers are extending hours
If you prefer cooling off outside, the city is expanding access to several popular options.
During the Heat Emergency:
- Olympic- and intermediate-sized NYC public pools will remain open until 8 p.m.
- Beaches remain free and open daily with lifeguards on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Spray showers and drinking fountains remain available citywide through the city’s Cool It! NYC map.
Adults 18 and older can also pick up a free spray cap from any FDNY firehouse (with valid ID) to safely turn neighborhood fire hydrants into sprinklers. Officials remind residents never to illegally open hydrants, which can waste up to 1,000 gallons of water per minute and reduce water pressure needed for firefighting.
How to stay safe during the heat
NYC Emergency Management recommends:
- Drink water frequently—even if you don’t feel thirsty.
- Spend as much time as possible in air-conditioned spaces.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the afternoon.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Take cool showers or use cold towels or ice packs on your neck and wrists.
- Check on older neighbors, relatives and anyone without air conditioning.
- Never leave children or pets inside parked vehicles.
If you notice symptoms like confusion, trouble breathing, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, nausea or hot, dry skin, call 911 immediately, as these may be signs of heat stroke.
Stay informed throughout the holiday weekend
With dangerous conditions expected to continue through at least the Fourth of July, officials encourage New Yorkers to sign up for Notify NYC emergency alerts by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692. The city says forecasts, cooling center information and weather updates will continue to be shared as conditions evolve.
As Mayor Zohran Mamdani emphasized while announcing the Heat Emergency, one of the most effective safety tools this week isn’t a cooling center—it’s neighbors checking on neighbors.
During prolonged extreme heat, a quick knock on someone’s door could make all the difference.
