New York (WBEN) - With a heat wave set to potential bring record-breaking temperatures across New York State, Gov. Kathy Hochul activated the State's Emergency Operations Center on Tuesday.
Record temperatures are possible this week for Western, Central and Northern New York, as well as the Capital Region. Temperatures are likely to peak Tuesday through Thursday, but will linger in some places into the weekend.
The "feels like" temperature values are looking to approach the low 90s to over 100 degrees Tuesday through Friday. Most places North of New York City will have "feels like" temperatures near 100 degrees or well over.
Overnight temperatures will remain warm in the higher 60s to mid-70s, not allowing much relief from the heat Tuesday through Friday night. Saturday and Sunday night will range in the high 50s to the mid-70s statewide.
"We don't need any fancy data to tell us this: It's going to be extremely hot and uncomfortable. In fact, it'll be dangerously hot. That is something I want everyone to keep in their minds when they're thinking about their families, their friends, their neighbors and their pets," said Gov. Hochul on Tuesday. "I know New Yorkers are tough. We think we can handle it all without breaking a sweat and we probably will, but we'll be able to get through this, because we'll be prepared. But this is a historic heat wave that will be different by so many measurements."
Hochul says along the I-90 Thurway corridor from Buffalo to Albany, and several points in between, every region of Upstate New York is going to be hit with an over 100-degree real feel temperature. That's why Hochul announced an alert for ozone in New York City, as well as the Lower Hudson and Western New York regions from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET.
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Hochul wants people across the state to be laser focused on the health of the public at large.
"This is a time of significant risk, and we're doing our best to make sure that all lives are protected. But as we reported before, it is — of all the weather events that have happened and can happen — this is becoming the new normal," Gov. Hochul said. "Extreme weather is the new normal in our country, but particularly here in the State of New York. We know that heat events, loss of life from heat stroke, for example, is the No. 1 killer of human beings during these events. And so, we're prepared for this."
When it comes to children's safety, Hochul pointed to many school districts already having canceled or delayed classes during this heat wave. She's encouraging all districts across New York State to closely monitor the conditions.
"Make sure that children have access to water all day, stay hydrated and really avoid playing outside in direct sunlight, where young bodies can become dehydrated so quickly and overcome with the heat," Hochul said. "Department of Environmental Conservation and the Health Department are also monitoring the air quality and will continue to give air quality health alerts as we have this confluence of the heat, but also extreme humidity which can compromise the air quality."
Hochul adds if anyone has to be outdoors during this heat wave, she advises for people to stay heavily hydrated.
"Drink water all day long. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as well, which can be dehydrating," she said.
"Stay safe, stay hydrated and stay cool."