Temperatures in Ithaca will reach up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit heading into the Fourth of July weekend as a heat wave sweeps the Northeast, according to the National Weather Service. Tompkins County offers resources for community members to prepare for the heat wave and endure the extreme heat.
Tompkins County will be under a heat advisory from noon to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, with highs up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the NWS’ Hazardous Weather Outlook website. From Wednesday morning to Friday evening, the county will be under an extreme heat watch, with predicted temperatures up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit and heat index temperatures up to 111 degrees Fahrenheit.
There will also be a chance of thunderstorms every day except Thursday this week, according to the NWS seven-day forecast.
The heat index is a measurement of what the temperature feels like to the average human when humidity is factored in. The values of the heat index are measured for shady locations, so direct sunlight exposure can add up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit to the measurement.
Residents are encouraged to stay indoors, hydrate and locate nearby cooling centers if needed, according to the NWS.
Cooling centers are places with air conditioning where the public can cool off during hot weather. These centers are free and the New York Department of Health offers an online map of center locations.
NWS Heat Alert and Risk Systems
The NWS uses a heat alert system to measure heat risk, based on heat index values and certainty. The NWS issues heat advisories, extreme heat watches and extreme heat warnings.
A heat advisory is issued when dangerous conditions exist that do not reach extreme heat warning criteria. An extreme heat watch is issued when “conditions are favorable” for extreme heat — heat index values meeting or exceeding 105 degrees Fahrenheit — to occur but the timing is uncertain. An extreme heat warning is issued when “extremely dangerous heat conditions are expected or occurring.”
The NWS recommends those affected by an extreme heat watch to prepare to suspend outdoor activities and locate air conditioning or nearby cooling centers if a warning is issued.
The NWS also provides a supplementary HeatRisk tracker which grades the list of heat-related impacts on a four-category scale. Category 3 heat will affect any person without adequate cooling or hydration regardless of their heat sensitivity, and category 4 heat is a “rare level of heat” that can affect infrastructure, health systems and industries.
Ithaca will be in the category 3 range on Tuesday and Wednesday and reach category 4 on Thursday and Friday before returning to category 3 on Saturday.
On Thursday, Ithaca will experience category 4 heat (indicated with purple shading), according to the National Weather Service's HeatRisk system. (Courtesy of NWS HeatRisk)
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-N.Y.) released a Monday statement urging New Yorkers to prepare for the weather and providing a list of tips to stay safe during the heat wave.
“New Yorkers should take the proper precautions to protect themselves and their families by staying hydrated, limiting time outdoors, and monitoring your local forecast,” Hochul wrote. “I also encourage everyone to check in on those most vulnerable and our elderly neighbors — one phone call or visit could save a life.”
Places to Swim
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has extended state park hours across New York to help beat the heat, per Hochul’s statement. Community members should check park hours and regulations for specific swimming guidelines.
In Tompkins County, the parks with extended hours include:
-
Taughannock Falls State Park
- June 30 through July 3 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
-
Buttermilk Falls State Park
- June 29 through July 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
-
Robert H Treman State Park
- June 29 through July 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cooling Centers in Tompkins County
Community members should call the centers ahead of visiting to ensure availability. The full list of New York cooling centers is available online.
- Appel Commons Community Center — (607)351-3096
- 186 Cradit Farm Dr, Ithaca, NY 14850
- Greater Ithaca Activities Center — (607)272-3622
- 301 W. Court St, Ithaca, NY 14850
- Groton Public Library — (607)898-5055
- 112 E. Cortland St, Groton, NY 13073
- Ithaca College (Athletics & Events Center, Campus Center, Fitness Center) — (607)274-1871
- 953 Danby Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
- Lansing Community Library — (607)533-4939
- 27 Auburn Rd, Lansing, NY 14882
- Newfield Public Library — (607)564-3594
- 198 Main St, Newfield, NY 14867
- Noyes Community Recreation Center — (607)255-0421
- 306 West Ave, Ithaca, NY 14850
- Olin and Uris Libraries — (607)255-4144
- 161 Ho Plaza 14853, Ithaca, NY 14850
- Robert Purcell Community Center — (607)255-6214
- 107 Jessup Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
- Shops at Ithaca Mall — (607)257-5338
- 40 Catherwood Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
- Southworth Library — (607)844-4782
- 24 W. Main St, Dryden, NY 13053
- Tompkins Cortland Community College — (607)844-8211
- 170 North St, Dryden, NY 13053
- Tompkins County Public Library — (607)272-4557
- 101 East Green St, Ithaca, NY 14850
- Ulysses Philomathic Library — (607)387-5623
- 74 E. Main St, Trumansburg, NY 14886
- YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County — (607)257-0101
- 50 Graham Road West, Ithaca, NY 14850
Everett Chambala is an assistant news editor for the 144th board. He is working as the primary summer reporter for The Cornell Daily Sun through The Sun’s summer fellowship program.
Everett Chambala is a member of the Class of 2027 in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. He is an assistant news editor for the 144th Editorial Board and can be reached at echambala@cornellsun.com.
