WEATHER ALERT: Heat Advisory in Effect, Severe Thunderstorms Possible for NYC

An urgent heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service remains in effect until 8 p.m. on Thursday.

As of Thursday morning, the day’s high is expected to reach 87 degrees, which will feel more like the mid- to upper-90s due to extreme humidity.

But if temperatures hit 90 on Thursday, New York will be riding an official heat wave. (As a ”wave” requires three days of 90-plus heat.)

New Yorkers are advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activity and stay in air-conditioned spaces whenever possible. Via the Times:

“I want to urge all New Yorkers to be cautious,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a news conference, taking sips of water as an example of proper hydration. “This is very high heat.”

To punctuate the heat, the NWS expects thunderstorms of a possibly severe nature to roll into the NYC area on Thursday evening. ”The main threat is from damaging wind gusts,” it says.

Here’s the NWS forecast for Thursday:

Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. South wind 11 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 72. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

There’s also a rip current warning in effect until Thursday evening at all NYC and Long Island beaches. Surf height is predicted to reach four feet, and there’s a high risk that lightning will strike.

Image courtesy of AccuWeather.