Heat advisory extended through Wednesday evening across Long Island; storms possible

The National Weather Service has extended a heat advisory through 9 p.m. Wednesday, warning of oppressive heat and humidity across Long Island.

Forecasters also are predicting a significant chance for thunderstorms Tuesday and Wednesday.

The weather service said a high of 94 degrees is expected Tuesday — and said humidity already was at 91% as of 7:30 a.m.

A heat advisory is issued when the combination of heat and humidity is expected to make it feel like it’s between 95 and 99 degrees for two or more consecutive days — or, between 100 and 104 degrees for any length of time — the weather service said in a statement.

Forecasters also issued an air quality alert for Nassau and Suffolk, in effect through 11 p.m. Tuesday.

The State Department of Health said those "especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants" include the "very young, and those with preexisting respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease."

The rip current risk along all South Shore ocean beaches remains "moderate," meaning life-threatening rip currents are possible.

"Bottom line is the heat is going to continue and the humidity is going to continue for the next couple of days before a little bit of a reprieve on Thursday," National Weather Service meteorologist Dave Radell said late Monday afternoon. Long Islanders can expect more heat and humidity throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the weather service.

Radell added that Tuesday’s temperatures will feel in the "mid- to upper 90s for most the Island, away from the coast . . . On Wednesday, the heat backs off a little bit."

Relief is available in both counties for those who need it. 

There are 91 official cooling centers throughout Suffolk County, with locations available on the county's website.

Public pools and beaches are open on Tuesday at regular schedules across the region. 

In Nassau, cooling centers are open at the Cantiague Park administration office at 480 W. John St. in Hicksville, the Wantagh Park administration building at 1 King Rd. in Wantagh, and at the Mitchel Field administration building at 1 Charles Lindbergh Blvd. in Uniondale.

The county also has splash and sprinkler sites for children at Bay Park in East Rockaway; Cantiague Park in Hicksville; Centennial Park in Roosevelt; Eisenhower Park in East Meadow; Grant Park in Hewlett; North Woodmere Park; Rev. Arthur Mackey Park in Roosevelt; and Wantagh Park.

Health authorities warned that seniors and those with chronic health problems or mental health conditions are at an increased risk in severe heat. Experts encouraged residents to check on vulnerable friends, family members and neighbors.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said it was taking several measures to protect Long Island commuters from the heat, and the potential service disruptions it could cause.

Janno Lieber, chairman and chief executive of the MTA, which includes the Long Island Rail Road, said Monday that the transit agency "is no stranger to extreme weather" and will respond to the ongoing heat wave just as it has other spells of intense temperatures so far this summer.

Key to maintaining service, Lieber said, are "heat patrols" that have ramped up inspections of train tracks to address potential alignment problems that could arise, including on the LIRR.

During extreme heat, the LIRR occasionally deals with broken rails caused by the expansion of steel. MTA officials said Monday that there have been no such issues during the ongoing heat wave.

Forecasters called for overnight showers and thunderstorms Tuesday evening.

With Alfonso Castillo and Nicholas Grasso

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”