Heat Advisories, Warnings In Effect As Temperatures Soar Into The 90s

Updated at 12:21 a.m., July 16, 2013

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- It's another week of hot weather across the Tri-State Area as temperatures are expected to be in the 90s through the weekend.

A heat advisory remained in effect for New York City until midnight Tuesday.

EXTRA: Forecast & Alerts | Staying Safe In The Summer Heat | Find A Cooling Center

In New Jersey, an excessive heat warning is in effect for Mercer, Gloucester, Camden and northwest Burlington counties. A heat advisory is posted for the rest of the state.

Heat advisories are issued only when the combination of heat and humidity is expected to make it feel like it's at least 95 degrees for two consecutive days or if the heat index values reach 100 to 104 degrees for any length of time. This week, there will be both.

"It's going to be very hot and humid this week. The weather can be dangerous, especially for those without air conditioning, the elderly and those with chronic health conditions," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg. "There are about 425 cooling centers that we have open around the city for those needing relief from the heat."

The heat index in New York City was 101 degrees on Monday, CBS 2's Lonnie Quinn reported.

The oppressive conditions even impacted the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby festivities at Citi Field on Monday night. Con Edison confirmed that wires underneath the train station at 103rd Street and Roosevelt Avenue shorted out, causing a small electrical fire that briefly disrupted 7-line service and created a long wait for those trying to get home from the stadium.

Crews eventually restored electricity with temporary shunts, the utility said.

Those who ventured outside earlier Monday said they were immediately hit by the sweltering conditions.

"I came out and I was like 'phew!'" Zack Schteingart, 7, told CBS 2's Andrea Grymes.

To cool down, though, Schteingart ran through the sprinklers at Ancient Playground in Central Park.

All across the region, people tried to beat the heat as temperatures soared into the 90s but felt like more than 100 in many places.

"Shorts and a tank top. It's too hot for anything else," one woman told Grymes.

"Stay shady. Go to the park," a man said.

An ice cream man in Union Square said business was off Monday because the ice cream melts.

"Everybody's looking for the water, something like ices, slushies. Business in summer goes slow," ice cream man Carlos Vazquez told Grymes.

As the sun set over Washington Square park on Monday night, people were still simmering in the humid heat. Children found much-needed relief playing in the fountains.

There was no escape from the oven-like atmosphere on subway platforms. One Prospect Park couple couldn't wait to get back outside.

"You can't stop sweating down here," Jayrell Ringpis told CBS 2's Hazel Sanchez.

"I actually have this thing where when it gets really hot I get shortness of breath. So I carry a water bottle everywhere with me when it comes around this time," Dianne Manansala said.

Meantime, Con Edison was busy making sure power stays on for customers across the five boroughs and Westchester County, since high temperatures are expected the next several days. The utility activated its 24/7 Command Center and had workers on for longer shifts.

"We haven't had any major issues. There's the potential for a record to be set maybe Wednesday or Thursday in usage. That's why we have our command center set up," Con Edison spokesman Chris Olert told Grymes.

PSE&G and LIPA said they have extra workers on hand to handle any power outages that may occur.

All the local utilities have asked customers to do what they can to conserve energy ahead of what's anticipated to be a very high usage period over the next few days.

CBS 2's Quinn said it still felt like 97 degrees in Manhattan at 6 p.m.

At the peak of the heat and humidity, Belmar felt like 107 degrees, Quinn said.

The overnight low on Monday was forecast to only drop to 80 degrees, said Quinn. Tuesday and Wednesday are forecast to be even hotter than Monday, with temperatures reaching the upper 90s in New York City.

New York City's Office of Emergency Management advised seniors and people with health conditions to stay in air-conditioned areas. It said all New Yorkers should avoid strenuous activity and drink plenty of water.

Dr. Kevin Baumlin, vice chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Mount Sinai, said it's important to heed warnings if you want to stay healthy.

"Your body temperature can rise and when your body temp starts to rise higher than your ability to get rid of heat, perspire or cool down, your body can get into significant trouble," he said. "The most significant symptoms are dizziness, weakness and what we call altered mental status."

Anyone overcome by heat should call 911.

The OEM said city cooling centers at senior centers, libraries and community centers will be open through Thursday.

Nassau County said it's extending the hours at its major outdoor swimming pools because of the "extremely high temperatures and humidity.'' Pools at five locations were to remain open until 8 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

In New Jersey, the Essex County Codey Arena in West Orange will be open to the public as a cooling center. The arena will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In Connecticut, cooling centers are open Monday in New Haven, Waterbury, Stamford, Meriden and other cities and towns.

Other tips for keeping cool:

• Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest times of the day.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
• Drink plenty of water.
•  If you must go outside, wear sunscreen and a hat to protect your face and head.
• Do not leave children, pets or those who require special care in a parked car or vehicle – temperatures inside a closed car can reach over 140 degrees quickly and exposure to high temperatures can kill within minutes.
• Be sure to check on your neighbors, especially if they are elderly, have young children or have special needs.
• Make sure there is enough water and food for pets and limit their exercise.

Forecasters are predicting the heat wave will break with cooler temperatures on Sunday.

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• Rich Lamb