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NYC Heat Advisory Spurs Cooling Centers, Flight Limits, Flood Threat

8/6/2026

50 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The National Weather Service issued a Heat Advisory for New York City from 11 a.m. Thursday to 8 p.m. Friday, with a 104 °F heat index.
City officials opened hundreds of cooling centers and deployed nearly two dozen COOL vans.
The FAA warned extreme heat could force airlines at LaGuardia to limit cargo or delay flights.
Meteorologists expect scattered showers Thursday afternoon and a stronger storm Friday, which could cause flash flooding.

History

Historical Context

The July 13, 1995 Chicago heat wave hit 106 °F, killing 739 people, mostly elderly residents in impoverished neighborhoods; delayed warnings and only five cooling centers under Mayor Richard M. Daley worsened the toll. The disaster prompted the National Weather Service to develop heat-response protocols that today guide New York City’s alerts, cooling vans and airport restrictions.

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Story summary

The National Weather Service issued a Heat Advisory for New York City from 11 a.m. Thursday to 8 p.m. Friday, with a 104 °F heat index.
City officials opened hundreds of cooling centers and deployed nearly two dozen COOL vans.
The FAA warned extreme heat could force airlines at LaGuardia to limit cargo or delay flights.
Meteorologists expect scattered showers Thursday afternoon and a stronger storm Friday, which could cause flash flooding.

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