A woman stands with an umbrella to shield herself from the sun amid a heatwave in New York City, U.S., July 1, 2026. REUTERS/Ryan Murphy
(New York, New York) – New York City is heading into the Fourth of July stretch with more heat, sticky nights and a chance of thunderstorms that could affect afternoon and evening plans.
The National Weather Service forecast for Manhattan calls for a hot Thursday with a high near 94 and heat index values near 101. Thursday night stays uncomfortable, with clear skies and a low around 83.
Friday, July 3, brings another sunny and hot day, with a high near 94 and heat index values around 100. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible after 2 p.m., and the storm chance continues into Friday night.
Independence Day is expected to stay hot, with a high near 92 and a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. That does not guarantee a washout, but anyone heading to fireworks, parades or outdoor gatherings should keep an eye on radar and plan for heat breaks.
The best advice is simple: hydrate early, avoid long stretches in direct sun, and leave extra time if storms slow transit or traffic around major events.
