NYC heat – New York City is under a heat advisory this week as temperatures push into the 90s, with the city’s Emergency Management activating its heat emergency plan. Forecasters call for sharp swings after the hot stretch—raising the question many residents ask: is thi
By Tuesday morning, it was already the kind of heat that makes you think about shade before you think about plans—especially if you’re walking a dog in the city.
New York City is expected to hit temperatures in the 90s this week. prompting a heat advisory and triggering NYC Emergency Management’s heat emergency plan. The forecast shows a quick rise into peak heat followed by a sharp drop. a pattern that can be hard to judge when you’re used to May feeling mild.
Tuesday, May 19 is forecast to reach a high of 97 degrees and a low of 75 degrees. Wednesday, May 20 is expected to climb to 92 degrees, with a low of 58 degrees. Thursday. May 21 drops sharply to a high of 66 degrees and a low of 53 degrees. while Friday. May 22 is forecast to be similar. with a high of 65 degrees and a low of 51 degrees.
Cooling centers across the city will also be open.
The question many New Yorkers are asking is whether this is out of character. The National Weather Service says the average temperature for Central Park in May 2025 was 62.3 degrees. In May overall, the average temperature typically hovers in the 60s—so Tuesday’s high of 97 degrees stands out immediately.
AccuWeather also points to how close the city may be running to older records. It says Tuesday’s heat is approaching the record high of 99 degrees set in 1962 for that day.
Even as the hottest stretch appears to end before the calendar flips, the weekend still carries its own complications. Memorial Day weekend in New York City may bring rain along with cooler temperatures. according to AccuWeather: Saturday. May 23 is expected to reach a high of 56 degrees and a low of 51 degrees. with periods of rain. Sunday, May 24 is forecast at 62 degrees for the high and 55 degrees for the low, also with periods of rain. Monday. May 25 is expected to be 67 degrees at the high and 61 degrees at the low. with cloudy skies and some sun. plus some showers possible.
The swing from a Tuesday high of 97 degrees to mid-to-high 60s just a few days later is what makes this week feel unusually jarring. It’s not just the numbers—it’s the way they arrive fast, then ease just as quickly, leaving people to adjust on the fly.
And for dog owners, the timing matters. When the city issues a heat advisory and opens cooling centers, the guidance isn’t abstract—it’s about keeping pets cool, comfortable, and protected while the pavement and air outside do their own temperature work.
NYC heat advisory heat emergency plan NYC Emergency Management dog heat safety tips Central Park May average temperature AccuWeather forecast Memorial Day weekend weather