Long Island ties a heat record Thursday but cooler temps on the way

In Nassau and western Suffolk, temperatures hit 92 degrees. With a heat advisory in effect for much of Long Island Thursday, schools had to pivot to keep students safe, NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports. Credit: Newsday Staff

By Robert Brodskyrobert.brodsky@newsday.com @BrodskyRobertUpdated September 7, 2023

The late summer heat wave that wilted Long Islanders, along with residents throughout the region, is predicted to abate somewhat Friday, and possible weekend storms will be ushering in cooler, more seasonable weather, forecasters said.

While a heat advisory remained in effect for much of Long Island through 8 p.m. on Thursday, the National Weather Service has not issued one for Friday, forecasting a high of 82 degrees for Long Island.

But the heat index — which measures how hot it really feels after factoring in the humidity — will still be in the upper 80s and 90s across the island, the weather service said.

"It's not going to be as hot Friday, but it will remain humid throughout the weekend," said Jim Connolly, a meteorologist with the weather service's Upton office.

A heat advisory will be in effect Friday for New York City, northern New Jersey, Westchester and Rockland, the weather service said.

Islip recorded a high of 92 Thursday, tying the record for that day first set in 1998, Connolly said. It was the fourth consecutive day Islip has hit at least 90 degrees, although that streak is expected to be broken Friday, the weather service said.

There is a chance of storms on the island on Friday, Connolly said, although they are considered more likely northwest of New York City. There is a 40 to 50% chance of thunderstorms over the weekend on Long Island and by Monday, the high should be about 80, with even lower temperatures as the week goes on.

The extended heat wave once again caused the cancellations of many Long Island outdoor school sports practices and game postponements, although a lowering heat index Thursday evening allowed them to resume. Some classrooms and playgrounds, however, were still oppressive for students on the first week back to school.

Gabriella Barbarito, a fifth grader at Eugene Auer Memorial Elementary School in Lake Grove, where outdoor recess was moved indoors, said the heat was uncomfortable.

"It’s hard to focus but once you aren’t thinking about it, it gets easier to work," she said.

Bruno Bernardino, the school's principal, said about half the classrooms are air-conditioned while fans were running in other classrooms. During recess, he said, students were moved into air-conditioned rooms.

"We're encouraging them to drink a lot of water," he said. "And we have those water filling stations, which is great. So, we're really making do. And the kids are doing great."

Interviewed elsewhere on Long Island, Heather Simpson of St. James said, "It’s gross...I feel like it’s really hard to breathe."

Theresa Camilleri of Bellmore said she's ready for the temperatures to cool down. "I’m ready for the fall," she said. "I’ve had enough of the heat wave for today."

With Shari Einhorn