UAlbany Weather Experts Share Insight on Extreme Heat Wave Hitting Northeast

By Mike Nolan

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 30, 2026) — A dangerous heat wave will intensify across most of the central to eastern U.S. this week, with the National Weather Service issuing Extreme Heat Watches for more than 19 million New Yorkers from Wednesday through Friday.

Combined with high humidity, "feels like" temperatures are forecast to reach triple digits (up to 110F in parts of the Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island), with the heat potentially persisting into the Fourth of July weekend.

As temperatures climb, UAlbany facilities staff will manage campus cooling systems and deploy temporary chillers in select locations. Community members seeking relief can access cooler spaces in the Campus Center, University Library and the first-floor downtown Husted dining and vending area.

Nick Bassill is director of the New York State Weather Risk Communication Center at UAlbany, a first-of-its-kind partnership that leverages the university's atmospheric science expertise to help state and local emergency managers prepare for severe weather. He also researches heat events and recently partnered with the National Weather Service on a project equipping New York City with new tools for extreme-heat preparedness and response.

"Between Wednesday and Saturday, feels-like temperatures will soar above 100F for most New Yorkers, with little overnight relief," Bassill said. "Extreme heat is commonly the top weather killer, and this week will feature the warmest temperatures in over one year. The State Weather Risk Communication Center at UAlbany is keeping a close watch on the forecast and working proactively with state emergency management to update them on the latest expectations."

June Wang is director of the New York State Mesonet at UAlbany, the nation's largest and most advanced early warning weather detection system. Built for emergency management and climate monitoring, the Mesonet includes 127 standard weather stations spaced an average of 17 miles apart, with at least one in each county. The network also feeds the State Weather Risk Communication Center, which powers the New York State Heat Risk and Illness Dashboard, used by the state Department of Health to forecast heat-related health risks and raise public awareness.

"The Northeast is experiencing longer and more intense heatwaves," Wang said. "The New York State Mesonet delivers accurate, real-time heat index measurements updated every five minutes from 160 stations across New York State, including 23 within New York City. Emergency managers and public officials rely on this data for timely warnings and improved preparedness."

The public is encouraged to monitor conditions from their local Mesonet station to stay informed during this week's extreme heat.