Heat wave sizzling parts of Northeast; NYC could feel like a 100-degree cooker
The heat advisory includes parts of Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, where two people died in flooding.
ARLINGTON, Va. − Days after powerful storms swept across much of the East, killing two people in New Jersey and flooding multiple stations in the New York City subway system, stifling heat was rolling into parts of the region July 16, forecasters said.
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory until 10 p.m. in New York City, where video went viral July 14 showing passengers on a subway train watching as a station was inundated with rushing water.
"Heads up, New Yorkers," Mayor Eric Adams said in a social media post Tuesday. "We could see another heat wave starting tomorrow, meaning multiple days of dangerous heat."
The weather service forecast city temperatures in the mid 80s to low 90s, and heat indices could possibly exceed triple digits because of the high humidity. City health officials warned residents to "bump up your beverage intake – plain water is best – and try to keep ahead of getting too thirsty." The social media post also reminded residents that alcohol and sugary drinks can accelerate the body’s dehydration.
Cooling centers across the city were opened. The Queens Public Library posted that it was "here to help! Please visit your local library if you need an air-conditioned Cooling Center to #BeatTheHeat!"
The heat advisory also includes parts of Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, where two people died in Plainfield on July 14 when their vehicle was swept away in flash flooding.
Storm threat lingers in Baltimore, Washington
Farther south, the storm threat was not over, and "isolated to scattered" flash flooding was possible in parts of Virginia and Maryland, the weather service said. Heavy rains July 14 swamped roads in both states and forced some swift water rescues in Virginia.
"Showers & thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and torrential downpours are expected across much of the area today into this evening," the weather service office serving Baltimore and Washington posted. "Isolated instances of flash flooding will be possible."
2025 is the 'year of the flood'
Daily tropical downpours, deadly flash floods and crushing humidity: If you think summer 2025 has been wetter and rainier than usual, you're right. National Weather Service offices have issued more flood warnings at this point in a year than any year dating back to 1986, said WPLG-TV meteorologist Michael Lowry in a July 15 email to Paste BN.
"2025 has been the year of the flood,"Lowry wrote. "The tragic July 4th flooding in central Texas – the deadliest flash flood in at least 50 years in the U.S. – punctuated what’s been an especially bad year for flooding across the country."
One factor is high humidity because of the unusually warm waters of the Atlantic and the Gulf this season. Read more here.
− Doyle Rice
Texas recovery effort could be aided by dry weather
Search and rescue teams in Central Texas were receiving a reprieve from the weather July 16. Recovery efforts from historic July 4 flooding were hampered in recent days by additional downpours. Heat was a concern − temperatures were forecast to stretch into the 90s, the weather service said. But flood watches were allowed to expire as the risk of storms declined.
"A drier and warmer weather pattern more typical of July is expected into next week," the weather service office in San Antonio said. "Highs today will be in the 90s for most, with heat index values in the low 100s outside of the Hill Country.
Storms in Midwest could bring flooding
A potent storm system is forecast to roll across the Midwest on July 16-17, the Weather Service said. Widespread thunderstorms could bring flash flooding from the Upper Midwest southwest through the Missouri Valley and into the central Plains.
The target area stretches across Nebraska to Michigan and includes the metro areas of Chicago, Milwaukee and Davenport, Iowa, AccuWeather said.
The central High Plains of Colorado also could see damaging winds and large hail, the weather service said.
National Hurricane Center eyeing possible storm
Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center was keeping a watchful eye on the Gulf for possible tropical development this week. So far this season, there have been three named tropical storms.
Parts of the Southeast were facing a double whammy as a tropical rainstorm sweeps across Central Florida followed by a tropical depression forecast to make landfall Thursday in Louisiana, AccuWeather hurricane experts said. That "more organized tropical system would bring a larger swath of heavy rain and a more widespread flooding risk," AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said.
A flood watch was scheduled to kick in Wednesay afternoon and remain in effect until Friday, the National Weather Service said.
"Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop," the weather service warned.