Region readies for heat wave

Advisory issued; cooling stations opening locally

Heat and humidity are bearing down on the Capital Region.

The area is under a heat advisory with temperatures expected to hit the 90s on Saturday into Sunday.

“We’ve seen some heat waves before in May, but now we’re talking about the daily record high on Saturday, which is expected to be the hottest day,” said Joe Villani, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Albany.

Reaching midsummer temperatures in May has happened before but comes as a sudden change given the recent weather ranging between the 60s and 70s.

“It’s going to be a record high temperature and it is certainly a bit unusual,” said Villani. “We have seen this type of heat during the month of May, and it will feel uncomfortable due to the humidity.”

Due to the advisory, some communities plan to open cooling stations where people can try to beat the heat.

Troy Mayor Patrick Madden said the city is opening cooling stations and municipal splash pads this weekend. Schenectady County has also announced cooling stations at a number of area libraries. In Albany, six splash pads will also be open in city parks for the weekend. (Please see box for details.)

Saturday’s temperature could be recordbreaking for that date.

“The daily record high temperature for Saturday in Albany is 92, and we’re forecasting a high temperature of 94,” Villani said.

There is a chance of thunderstorms Saturday evening north of Albany and into the Adirondack Mountains.

A cold front will hit the Capital Region between Sunday and Monday, with a chance of thunderstorms across the area on Sunday too.

The temperature will be high on Sunday too, but a heat advisory has not been issued yet for that day.

“We might need a heat advisory that day but we’re going to take it day by day,” Villani said. “Regardless if we have a heat advisory or not for Sunday, it’s still going to be quite uncomfortable; especially given