New York City and the surrounding areas are experiencing a combination of severe thunderstorms and extreme heat. A heat advisory was in effect for New York City until 8 p.m., bringing an increased risk of heat-related illnesses. The National Weather Service had an extreme heat warning for the metro area, with temperatures expected to range from 97 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit and heat index values between 105 and 115 degrees. This intense heat is part of a week-long heatwave that is extending into the July 4th weekend.
The severe thunderstorms pose a significant risk of flash flooding, with AccuWeather meteorologists warning that much of the total rainfall, which could reach up to 6 inches, could fall within several hours. The storms are a result of the collapse of a heat dome across the central and eastern United States, bringing slightly cooler air but also an atmosphere loaded with moisture. Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds are expected from the Midwest to the Northeast, including major cities like New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., with potential wind gusts up to 80 mph. These conditions could disrupt fireworks displays, with lightning and localized flooding posing risks.
The initial storms on Friday evening delivered wind gusts of up to 71 miles per hour in New York and New Jersey, causing widespread power outages. Over 170,000 customers in New Jersey were still without power on Saturday morning, following a peak of 250,000 outages on Friday night. Con Edison restored electricity to more than 93,000 customers but nearly 7,000 remained without power. The storm damage also impacted holiday events, with a premier access viewing pavilion on Governors Island for the tall ships display forced to close due to structural damage. A second round of severe weather was projected for Saturday evening, potentially affecting New York City's 9:25 p.m. fireworks program. The incoming cold front is expected to alleviate the extreme temperatures, with highs dropping into the 80s on Sunday and high 70s by early next week, though scattered showers may persist through Tuesday.
