Community Corner

How To Deal with the Looming Heat Wave/Apocalypse

First summer heat blast wastes no time arriving in NYC.

Article by Matthew Hampton

Memorial Day has come and gone and in New York City that means it's time to kick-off a grand old tradition: complaining about how we all basically live in a giant kiln.

Seriously, thanks to what is known as the "Heat Island Effect,"New York City is traditionally hotter than the areas around it. 

This weekend's temperatures, starting Friday, are likely to reach the low 90's, with Saturday set to be the worst offender (a whopping 92 degree high), according to the National Weather Service.

Sunday could bring a summer thunderstorm or two to break up the ultra-high temperatures, but it's still going to be in the 80's. 

So here are some ways you can beat the heat, without the use of the city's public pools which are still weeks away from opening:

Get thee to the "for sale" section on Craigslist. I know you threw out your air conditioner in December when you were trying to free up closet space for that antique turntable you got for your birthday. Don't even try and deny it. Buy an air conditioner, new or used. (If it's used just make sure you test it before you fork over the cash.)

Go to the Movies. I still haven't seen the new Star Trek, and I've been dying to. That's what's happening this weekend. Probably four or five times, if Saturday is as hot as they say. 

Shut the dang windows. Once it reaches the super-hot summer temperatures, no combination of open window/fan is going to help you. Close the window, close the blinds, close it all.

Hydrate for real. The importance of this one cannot be overstated. Frequent drinking — of water — is so super important if you're trying to stay cool. Carry around a big ol' Nalgene bottle and just go nuts. Yeah, you'll spend half the day in the bathroom, but it's probably dark and cold in there anyway. 


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