Saturday, July 13, 2025 – NEW YORK — A heat advisory is in effect across much of Western and Central New York, as temperatures soar and humidity drives the heat index well into the upper 90s to near 100°F (35–38°C). The National Weather Service has issued the alert through 7 p.m. Saturday, urging residents to take the heat seriously.
Counties under advisory
The advisory spans a large swath of the state, covering communities from Niagara Falls to the Southern Tier.
In Western New York, affected counties include Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Northern Cayuga, Oswego, Northern Erie, Genesee, Livingston, and Ontario.
Further east and south, in Central New York and the Southern Tier, the advisory covers Yates, Seneca, Southern Cayuga, Onondaga, Steuben, Schuyler, Chemung, Tompkins, Madison, Southern Oneida, Tioga, and Broome.
Dangerous heat and humidity levels
Forecasters warn that heat index values — what the temperature feels like when humidity is factored in — will likely reach between 95 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit (35–38°C) this afternoon. These conditions significantly raise the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially among young children, seniors, and people who work outdoors.
Health officials are urging people to take precautions and stay aware of the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, including dizziness, fatigue, nausea, confusion, and clammy or hot skin.
Extra caution urged for outdoor workers
For those working outside, the risk is even greater. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is advising employers to schedule frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas, encourage hydration, and reduce strenuous physical activity during the hottest part of the day.
Extreme conditions can turn deadly fast
Officials stress the importance of never leaving children or pets in parked vehicles, where interior temperatures can spike to lethal levels in a matter of minutes, even with the windows cracked. First responders across the state are on alert for heat emergencies, which can escalate rapidly in this kind of weather.
Residents are being asked to check on neighbors, especially the elderly, and limit outdoor activity during the peak heat hours between 2 and 6 p.m.
This heat wave comes amid what’s already shaping up to be one of the hottest weeks of the summer across much of New York State, with little relief in sight as temperatures remain elevated into early next week.
