Long Island weather forecast: Temps to climb into the 90s next week; cooling centers to open

The first day of summer has been pleasant; sunny, a high of 82 degrees and a steady, cooling breeze. Friday night will drop into the high 60s. Saturday will have similar conditions.

But don't be fooled. Some serious summer heat is coming next week as a heat dome, or an enclosed zone of hot, dry air, covers Long Island, creating desert-like conditions, according to Newsday TV meteorologist Rich Von Ohlen.

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat watch from noon Sunday to 8 p.m. Tuesday, forecasting "maximum heat indices" of 100 to 105 for Sunday, for the entire area except eastern Long Island, where it will be about five degrees cooler. Then, Monday and Tuesday, it will be 105 for western Long Island and 95 to 100 for eastern Long Island.  

The heat index is a measure of how the weather really feels, combining temperature and humidity. 

"This level of heat affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate
hydration, particularly those with underlying illness, elderly/young, or nonacclimated
(visitors from cooler climes)," the weather service said in the watch advisory.

"They're anticipating the South Shore and the East End of Suffolk County will have some influence from the cooler water," said Von Ohlen, who added that water temperatures remain in the 60s. But the wind direction will determine whether an ocean breeze cools some areas.

West winds are currently forecast, meaning "even parts of Central Suffolk County have a good shot of getting at least into the low to mid-90s" on Monday and Tuesday.

Von Ohlen described the outlook over the next few days as an "extreme" and "rare situation." The mixture of sunlight, dry air and winds will form a "heat dome," he added, created desert-like conditions.

"Long Islanders will get a taste of what it feels like to be in Arizona," the Newsday TV meteorologist said. "New York City is probably going to touch 100 degrees" and heat records for this time of the year could be eclipsed, he added.

Finally on Thursday a bit of a reprieve is expected, when the high temperature should be only about 78 degrees under partly sunny skies.

In a news conference Friday, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman told residents to take “common sense” precautions in the extreme heat. They include drinking plenty of water, wearing sunscreen and loose-fitting clothing, and limiting outdoor activity, he said.

Blakeman also warned about the possibility of power outages. “In the event there’s a power outage, your air conditioning may go out,” he said.

He also told residents to keep their electronic devices charged. If power goes out, he said, residents should call PSEG Long Island at 800-490-0075.

Katy Tatzel, director of communications at PSEG Long Island, wrote to Newsday that high temperatures and high electric demand can sometimes cause scattered heat-related outages. However, she said the utility was “prepared to meet the increased electrical demand that the forecasted high temperatures bring.” Additional personnel will be available to address outages as quickly as possible, she said.

Nassau County Health Commissioner Irina Gelman told Newsday in an interview that heat-related illnesses are preventable when taking the proper steps. Last year, Nassau County saw 155 heat-related illnesses.

“The worst aspect of all of it is that these are preventable injures, and we want to make sure that we’re getting the message out as you are enjoying our 62 beaches or all of our beautiful parks that you are doing so responsibly, and you’re taking the necessary precautions,” Gelman said.
 

To cope with the upcoming heat, the Town of Huntington is making spray parks at Manor Field and Elwood Park free of charge for the next week until Thursday. Residents will not be required to show a paid activity card but must show proof of residency. The spray parks in Huntington Station and Elwood will remain open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The spray parks will return to regular hours and admission June 26, but may be extended as long as the hot weather lasts, town officials said.

The Dix Hills pool will also be open until 8 p.m. from Saturday through Wednesday.

Beaches at Gold Star Battalion, Crab Meadow, West Neck, Hobart, and Centerport will also remain open until 8 p.m. with lifeguard. A beach pass is required for Huntington Town residents.

The Town of Huntington also opened its cooling center at Flanagan Senior Center, Monday through Friday until 5 p.m.

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico said its three public pools, Centereach, Holtsville and Mastic Aquatic, and its eight beaches, would open this weekend to help residents "beat the heat."

The beaches and pools, which are available from dawn to dusk, were originally to open on June 27.

In addition, all Brookhaven recreation centers and senior centers — at Mount Sinai, New Village in Centereach, Mastic, Moriches Bay, Robt. Reid in Shoreham, St. Michael's in Medford — will operate as cooling centers.

The Town of Smithtown announced on Thursday that its splash parks were now open on weekdays due to the predicted heat wave.

Both parks at Hoyt Farms in Commack and Veteran Memorial Park in St. James open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day.

Suffolk County residents can check the county website for a full list of municipal cooling centers.

Blakeman said three cooling centers will be open starting today: in Hicksville, Wantagh and Uniondale. These include; 

Cantiague Park administration office, 480 W. John St., Hicksville, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wantagh administration building, 1 King Rd., Wantagh, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Mitchel Field administration building, 1 Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Uniondale, open 24 hours.

Also in Nassau County, residents can cool off at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center on Stewart Avenue from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The Town of Hempstead announced the kiddie pools at Veterans Memorial Park Pool in East Meadow; Hewlett Point Park Pool in East Rockaway; and Slate Lane Pool, Acorn Lane Pool and Jerusalem Avenue Pool in Levittown were closed for essential maintenance on Friday, but will be open this weekend.

The main pool at Veterans Memorial Park is also closed on Friday. 
In light of the upcoming hot weather, the Suffolk County SPCA released a list of safety tips for pet owners:

• Animals should never be left alone in a vehicle, even with windows open, as a car can "quickly become a furnace."
• Pet owners should limit their pets' exercise and refrain from letting dogs stand on hot asphalt.
• Tethering a dog outside in temperatures over 90 degrees is against the law in Suffolk.

Newsday's Nicholas Grasso contributed to this story.