The heat index in Summit could hit 104°F through Friday evening, and the city has opened three air-conditioned cooling centers for residents who need a break from the dangerous conditions.
The city's heat advisory took effect at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, and runs through 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7. Seniors, people with chronic health problems or mental health conditions, and anyone without home air conditioning face the highest risk.
Here's where to go:
- City Hall, 512 Springfield Ave. — Thursday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Summit Free Public Library, 75 Maple St. — Thursday 9 a.m.–9 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Summit Community Center, 100 Morris Ave. — Thursday 3 p.m.–9:30 p.m.; Friday 12:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
The library offers the broadest Thursday hours, while the Community Center stays open latest that evening. On Friday, the Community Center is the last to close at 5:30 p.m.
National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Ramsey told Gothamist that humidity is driving the danger. "Whenever you combine the warm temperatures with extremely high humidity, that's when you get the feels like temperature up that high," Ramsey said. Actual air temperatures will reach the upper 80s to lower 90s, but dew points in the mid-70s push the perceived heat far higher.
The advisory covers most of New Jersey north of the southern counties, according to NJ.com, with heat index values of 100 to 105°F expected across the northeastern urban corridor.
Neighboring Madison is also responding. The Borough of Madison announced Thursday that all athletic fields are closed Aug. 6 and Aug. 7 from noon to 5 p.m. under the borough's Recreation Ordinance, with any use during those hours considered unauthorized.
The city's advisory urges residents to check on neighbors who live alone or lack air conditioning.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency requiring an immediate 911 call. Other safety guidance from the advisory: wear loose, light-colored clothing; reschedule strenuous outdoor activity to early morning or late evening; never leave children or pets in parked vehicles, where temperatures can climb more than 20 degrees in 10 minutes.
The National Weather Service has warned the advisory may be extended into Saturday. Residents seeking additional cooling centers beyond Summit's three sites can check NJ 211's statewide list at nj211.org/nj-cooling-centers.
