The National Weather Service in Binghamton is projecting Heat Index values to possibly climb into the triple digits August 4 as the mercury gets into the mid-90s and the dewpoints clock in at the upper 60s to low 70s.

A Heat Advisory is in effect for Broome, Tioga and Tompkins counties from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. August 4.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul on August 3 issued a call for residents across the state to prepare for the extremely hot, uncomfortable and dangerous spike in heat and humidity.

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Heat Index values were projected to reach up to 100 in parts of the Southern Tier, including Binghamton and possibly in the triple-digits for the Mid-Hudson Valley, Capital District and New York City.  The values could be only slightly lower into the 90s in the Finger Lakes, Central New York and Mohawk Valley.

The Democrat said: "My administration is closely watching the forecast and will provide support to any communities needing assistance this week as we experience heat index values reaching and exceeding the 100s beginning on Thursday." 

The New York State Department of Health says heat is the number-one weather-related killer in the United States even though heat-related illnesses and deaths are preventable.

At particular risk for health problems from high temperatures and humidity are the elderly and those with chronic respiratory issues.

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The Governor’s office warns the heat in the summer can lead to formation of ground-level ozone which is a major component of photochemical smog.  The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health issue Air Quality Health Advisories when D.E.C. meteorologists predict levels of pollution to exceed an Air Quality Index value of 100.

While it may be tempting in the heat to invoke your inner child and take a dash through the hose, remember, some areas of New York State, 21 counties to be precise, are under a drought watch and residents are being encouraged to conserve water.

Those counties are Chemung and Schuyler and Steuben Counties in the western Southern Tier and Tompkins County in the Finger Lakes as well as Allegany, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Nassau, Niagara, Onondaga, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wyoming and Yates counties.

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