A woman freshens her make-up as she cools her feet in the fountain New York's Columbus Circle, Thursday, July 21, 2011. New York City is roasting under a potentially dangerous brew of heat and humidity, as officials warn the elderly and chronically ill to find cool refuges.(AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Long Islanders are in store for another sweaty day.
The National Weather service has issued a heat advisory for both Nassau and Suffolk Counties, which is in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday night.
Temperatures on Saturday are expected to hit a high of 98 degrees while the heat index—combination of heat and humidity—is expected to be as high as 103 degrees. Forecasters are predicting a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms during the day.
Saturday’s steamy weather comes off a record-breaking day Friday, where the temperature recorded at MacArthur Airport in Islip was 100 degrees. The previous record was in 1998 when the temperature hit 96 degrees.
LIPA officials announced on their website that crews haven been working around the clock to restore power to the thousands of customers who suffered outages due to the heat wave. A LIPA spokeswoman said 11,000 customers lost power on Friday. As of 12 p.m. Saturday afternoon, 1,483 customers were still without power.
An air quality alert is also in effect until 11 p.m. The air quality index level is predicted to be greater than 100 for the pollutant of ground level ozone. The higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern. Long Island also has a particulate matter (PM) pollution advisory.
Officials warn that the combination of heat and humidity could lead to dangerous heat illnesses. They suggest that those who work or spend time outside take extra precautions and try to schedule strenuous activities to the early morning or evening. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends that outdoor workers take frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
Symptoms of heat-related illnesses may include: headache, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and low pulse rate, according to the Department of Health. Other symptoms may include cold pale and clammy skin or hot, flushed dry skin. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool, shaded location.
Long Island residents should expect some relief from the heat on Sunday with a high near 87 degrees.
Cooling Centers:
Town of Hempstead Locations (Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 23 and Sunday July 24, 2011):
Baldwin Senior Center, 1810 N. Grand Ave., Baldwin, (516) 546-7110
Bellmore Senior Center, 2000 Bellmore Ave., Bellmore, (516) 221-9696
Elmont Senior Center, 138 Elmont Rd., Elmont, (516) 354-4777
Franklin Square Senior Center, 1182 Martha Pl. Franklin Square, (516) 328-3010
Green Acres Senior Center, 400 Flower Rd., Valley Stream, (516) 872-8810
Levittown Senior Center, 555 N. Newbridge Rd., Levittown, (516) 433-5454
Oceanside Senior Center, 2900 Rockaway Ave., Oceanside, (516) 766-8888
Rosa Parks Senior Center, 2 Babylon Tpke., Roosevelt (516) 867-1612
Salisbury Senior Center, 460 Salisbury Park Drive, Westbury, (516) 333-5440
Uniondale-Hempstead Senior Center, 840 Uniondale Ave., Uniondale (516) 292-1313
Uniondale-Merrick Senior Center, 750 Jerusalem Ave., Uniondale (516) 538-5050
Wantagh Senior Center, 1150 Seamans Neck Rd., Wantagh (516) 785-8505
Freeport Location (Open Saturday and Sunday):
Freeport Recreation Center, 130 E. Merrick Road, (516) 377-2314
Rockville Centre Locations (Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.):
The Anderson Recreation Center, 111 Oceanside Road (516) 678-9238
Town of Oyster Bay Locations (Saturday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.):
William P. Bennett Hicksville Community Center, 28 Carl Street, Hicksville (516) 797-7900
Town of North Hempstead Locations (Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.):
Clinton G. Martin Park, Marcus Avenue & New Hyde Park Rd., New Hyde Park, (516) 869-6311
Charles J. Fuschillo Park, Carle Road at Broadmoor Lane, Carle Place, (516) 869-6311
Far Rockaway:
Far Rockaway Library 16-37 Central Av (718) 327-2549 11691 Sa 10-5:30
Hammel 81-14 Rockaway Beach Blvd (718) 318-4627 11693 M – Sa 9-5
Peninsula Library 92-25 Rockaway Beach Blvd (718) 634-1110 11693 Sa 10-5:30
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