Brutal heatwave hits eastern US; thousands in New York City without power

NEW YORK, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Jul, 2026) A “prolonged, dangerous heatwave” was sweeping across parts of the central and eastern United States on Thursday, with forecasters warning that extreme record-breaking temperatures are expected to continue into the July Fourth holiday weekend for millions of Americans.

The National Weather Service (NWS) warned on Thursday that temperatures between 95F (35C) and 105F (40.5C), combined with high humidity, will push heat index values across parts of the region to between 100F and 115F.

“This will lead to widespread areas of major to extreme heat risk from the Midwest to the East Coast” the NWS said. “Numerous daily temperature records are expected today Friday and Independence day, with some consecutive-day, monthly and all-time records possible.”

The agency said on Thursday afternoon that extreme heat is expected to “continue across most of the central and eastern US through Friday” then it will focus “across the eastern US through the Independence Day holiday weekend”.

“Peak heat indices of up to 115 degrees are possible” the forecasters added.

The NWS warned that “prolonged periods of extreme heat are among the deadliest weather hazards” in the US, “because impacts build over time”.

“Protect yourself by limiting time outdoors, staying hydrated, and ensuring access to A/C or cooling centers,” the agency said.

As of Thursday morning, numerous areas across the Mississippi valley, Great Lakes, Ohio valley, and north-east are under extreme heat warnings, which are issued when “extremely dangerous heat conditions are expected or occurring”.

In New York City, temperatures reached 100F in Central Park on Thursday afternoon, marking the park’s first triple-digit day since July 2012. Forecasters in New York warned that “dangerous heat and humidity” is expected through Saturday, with heat index values forecast to reach “as high as 115F”.

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The NWS in New York also warned that thunderstorms are “possible Friday evening, and a few may become severe with damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and localized flash flooding”.

More than 7,000 customers in New York City were without power Thursday afternoon amid the searing heat, according to figures from Power Outage.us, with nearly all of those customers in the Bronx and Queens. Electric utility Con Edison is reducing voltage or has turned off power in parts of the

New York City mayor, Zohran Mamdani, urged residents to take precautions.

“Please stay prepared and informed as these dangerously high temperatures continue,” he said, adding that Friday’s heat index was expected to reach 110F. “Plan for extreme temperatures. Drink more water than usual. Reach out to vulnerable neighbors who may need help finding resources.”

Mamdani also announced that the city was deploying cooling vans staffed by medical personnel, who are set to “provide wellness checks, medical care, water and other supplies such as electrolytes and sunscreen, as well as transport to cooling centers or healthcare facilities”.

Kathy Hochul, the New York governor, also said on Thursday that the state’s electric grid was under “heavy strain as this heatwave drives up energy demand”. She encouraged New Yorkers to “voluntarily conserve power by setting your A/C between 75F–78F, avoiding unnecessary appliance use, and turning off lights and electronics when they’re not needed”.

“My team is coordinating with Con Edison, NYISO, and New York City leaders to reduce demand across the grid” she added.

Meanwhile, local media in New York City reported on Thursday that multiple shark sightings had caused intermittent closures at Rockaway Beach in Queens.