Syracuse- A heat wave will bake Central New York this weekend with high temperatures and oppressive humidity. Dangerous heat index values will result, especially on Sunday.
*** Sunday could be one of the 10 hottest days in Syracuse history ***
The forecast calls for a high of 99 degrees. Syracuse has been that hot on just nine days since since records began in 1902. Four of those days were in this century; the remaining five were in the 1930s.
The last time it was at least 99 degrees was July 17, 2012, when the temperature hit 101.
Syracuse has recorded high temperatures of 98, 100, 101 and 102, but never 99.
Another heat record, the hottest low temperature, could be set Sunday. The record is 76, also set in 1931. The forecast calls for 74 degrees.
The highest low temperature record is important because the warmer it stays at night, the more likely people can suffer heat problems and the harder air conditioning systems have to work.
The National Weather Service is likely to issue its strongest heat warning for Sunday afternoon as the heat and high humidity combine to create a heat index of of more than 100 degrees. The last time an excessive heat warning was issued for Syracuse was July 21, 2011.
Hottest days in Syracuse history
| Date | Temp | Year | July 2 | 100.0 | 1931 | June 2 | 100.0 | 1934 | July 8 | 101.0 | 1936 | July 9 | 102.0 | 1936 | July 10 | 101.0 | 1936 | Aug 9 | 100.0 | 2001 | Aug 14 | 101.0 | 2002 | July 21 | 101.0 | 2011 | July 17 | 101.0 | 2012 |