NYC braces for Caribbean-style heat, humidity and flash-flood storms through weekend

A heat advisory covering all five boroughs will run from Thursday afternoon to Saturday night as humidity pushes real-feel temperatures above 100 °F, prompting the city to activate emergency heat and flood plans.

A citywide heat advisory has been issued for New York City from 11 a.m. Thursday until 8 p.m. Saturday, with humidity levels described as comparable to those in the Caribbean. Senior AccuWeather meteorologist Brian Thompson said daytime highs will hover around 90 °F, but the oppressive moisture will drive real-feel temperatures above 100 °F. The combination of heat and humidity is expected to trigger scattered thunderstorms late Friday, with rain rates potentially topping two inches per hour, according to one outlet Weather Service, raising flash-flood concerns in poorly drained neighborhoods.

In response, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York City Emergency Management activated heat and flash-flood emergency protocols, opening dozens of cooling centers and initiating a Code Red outreach to connect homeless individuals with shelter and cooling resources. Officials advise New Yorkers to stay well-hydrated, avoid the hottest part of the day, and have a plan for shelter if flooding develops. Conditions should ease by Sunday, with a drier day and slightly lower humidity expected.