New York is starting Thursday under a Heat Advisory with temperatures climbing to near 88°F and a real chance of showers and thunderstorms pushing in after 5 PM ET — get your outdoor time in early and keep a compact travel umbrella in your bag for the afternoon commute.
Today’s Setup
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory covering most of the metro through Friday. An upper-level ridge is funneling in a hot, humid airmass, with dew points in the upper 60s to near 70°F pushing heat index values into the mid-90s to lower 100s across the five boroughs. Waiting on a subway platform today is going to feel genuinely oppressive. Coastal spots like the Rockaways and eastern Long Island stay a touch cooler and sit outside the advisory.
The morning looks manageable — mostly sunny with a west wind at 8 to 12 mph. The problem arrives after 5 PM ET, when the National Weather Service is tracking a complex of showers and thunderstorms moving in from the northwest. High atmospheric instability from the heat and humidity means any storms that fire could carry gusty winds and brief heavy rain.
Best Window To Be Outside
Central Park, the Hudson River Greenway, a rooftop lunch — morning through about 3 PM ET is your window. After 4 PM ET, keep one eye on radar. Street flooding in low-lying underpasses is possible if the storms train over the same areas.
Mets at Citi Field Tonight
The Mets host the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field this afternoon, with the evening storm window arriving after first pitch. Throw a packable rain jacket in your bag — it folds small enough to get through any bag check. Deck out in a New York Mets jersey or a New York Mets fitted cap for game-day spirit, and Get tickets on SeatGeek if you’re still looking for seats.
The Mets–Braves series opens Friday with a 65% chance of evening storms — same late-day risk pattern. Arrive early both nights.
Storm and Heat Safety
The National Weather Service warns of isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms and the potential for localized flash flooding Thursday and Friday evenings. Subway riders: one bad storm can stall the 7 train or the A/C for an hour — have a backup route in mind. Stay out of flooded underpasses, and charge your phone before you leave.
What to Wear or Bring
- Light, breathable clothes — 88°F with high humidity calls for as little as possible
- A compact travel umbrella fits in any tote or backpack
- A packable rain jacket handles the post-5 PM window without the bulk
- Carry water; the heat index could hit the mid-90s by midday
Tonight’s Dinner
When storms are rolling through and the humidity is stifling, staying in is the smart call. Let a programmable slow cooker do the work — load it with chili or beef stew before noon and dinner is waiting when you get home. An enameled cast iron Dutch oven is perfect for a stovetop soup if you want to stand over something and stir. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Friday and the Weekend Outlook
Friday: Another near-88°F day with storms likely after 5 PM ET and a 65% precipitation chance. The Heat Advisory continues. If you want an indoor escape, Hamilton is playing at Richard Rodgers Theatre on Friday night — a smart alternative to getting caught in the rain; Find tickets on StubHub before they sell out.
Weekend: The National Weather Service says it stays warm but noticeably less humid as the front clears. Multiple chances of showers and possible thunderstorms linger, but the brutal heat index values should ease — a meaningful improvement after two tough days.
Stay current with the latest New York weather forecast and browse outdoor gear deals if you need to kit up for the stormy stretch ahead.
