A dangerous heat wave blanketed the eastern third of the United States on Monday, putting nearly 160 million people under extreme heat alerts as temperatures soared across major metropolitan areas—including a forecasted 104°F (40°C) in the New York City region.
The first major heat event of the year intensified over the weekend and reached its peak Monday and Tuesday in cities such as Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York.
“This extreme heat will not just be uncomfortable and oppressive for New Yorkers,” warned New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “It’s going to be brutal and dangerous if you don’t take it seriously.” He noted that heat kills approximately 500 people in the city each year.
City officials urged vulnerable populations—especially seniors, individuals with health issues, and those without air conditioning—to stay hydrated and make use of designated cooling centers, including libraries and recreation facilities.
Temperature records fell across parts of the U.S. Northeast. In Central Park, the mercury hit 96°F, breaking a record that had stood since 1888, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
The NWS reported that “Extreme Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories” were in effect across at least 29 states. The agency warned that this level of heat risk is “rare and/or long in duration, with little to no overnight relief,” posing a serious threat to anyone lacking access to cooling or proper hydration.
Meteorologists attributed the relentless heat to a phenomenon known as a heat dome—a high-pressure system that traps hot air, causing temperatures to climb steadily and persist over time.
Despite the scorching conditions, many New Yorkers continued working outdoors. In Harlem, Manuel, a laborer repairing a building facade, said, “We have to endure it—otherwise, what are we going to survive on? Sometimes we stop because it’s dangerous, but you have to keep going.”
In Washington Heights, firefighters opened hydrants to provide residents a way to cool off in the absence of air conditioning.
Among those battling the heat to help others was 44-year-old Ronald Marcelin, an air conditioning technician drenched in sweat while repairing a pizzeria’s cooling system. “I’m taking the heat so everyone else can cool down,” he said with a smile.
