By Yoo Jung
June 25, 2025 · 2 min read
On sidewalks that sizzle and subway platforms turning into ovens, the city's latest heat wave arrived on Tuesday, with temperatures peaking at 100°F in the Upper West Side in New York City.
Communities in New York are susceptible to the urban heat island (UHI) effect, where the buildings trap and store heat. Due to global warming, heat waves are likely to become more frequent and even worsen. This week's heat wave is not the first and won't be the last. The weather sparked conversations ranging from relief, caution, and reflection.
"I like it. People have been wanting hot weather for a long time," said Dmark Gonzaltes, a 16-year-old, while charging his electric bike by the Lincoln Center. "I'm from the Caribbean, and the average weather is like 90… I'm used to it," he said with a smile.
For him, the heat allows him more freedom: trips to the beach and time to ride his bike. But others are more wary. His friend, Paul Trill, a 17-year-old, stood beside him with a juxtaposing look. "If I ride the bike out for too long, my arms start like burning," said Trill. Although this discomfort may sound minor, heat waves can pose serious health risks such as heatstroke, dehydration, and respiratory problems.
However, while some see the heat wave as a regular seasonal shift from spring to summer, others view it as a spiritual message. A Christian woman who wishes to stay anonymous believes the heat wave is no accident. "We keep throwing oil into the ocean, poisoning the air, killing wildlife," she said while fiddling with her necklace. Slowly, she added, "We need to go back to the basics… surrender ourselves."
She emphasized that the shift in weather is a warning. "We have to learn again how to share and how to be human."
According to NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information, New York is not the only place experiencing this heat wave. Throughout the states, the average temperature was the seventh-warmest since records started in 1895. In fact, June of 2025 was the Earth's third-warmest June since 1850. So, it is important to keep hydrated, wear sunscreen, and stay in the shade during peak hours between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All in all, climate change makes these extreme weather conditions more prevalent than before.
On the pavement, the sun continues to shine its punishing rays. Although the city of dreams keeps moving, the heat waves seem to persist. However, the weather is forecasted to cool starting on Thursday.
