The year’s first heat wave is leaving blue-collar workers red in the face — and it’ll only get more stifling as the week goes on, according to forecasters.
For those whose jobs keep them tethered to the great outdoors — even as the mercury somersaults into the high 80s, as it did Tuesday in the Big Apple — the only thing to do is to keep their cool.
“I’ve been doing this for 20 years,” said Steve Fallon, a 57-year-old construction worker who specializes in demolition removal as he sweltered in Times Square. “It’s not pleasant, but you’ve got to live through it — you do the best you can.”
“If you stay home, you don’t get paid — so I’ve gotta make a living,” he continued. “But this is the time when you think about opening up a bar on the beach somewhere.”
Temperatures will continue to soar into the pavement-melting 90s each day for the rest of the week, according to Fox Weather — and the weekend won’t bring much respite, with Saturday’s high at 88 degrees and a sticky 92 degrees on Sunday.
“The worst is yet to come, the temperatures are going to increase as we get into the latter half of this week,” said Christopher Tate, Fox Forecast Center meteorologist. “It’s going to be really uncomfortable here in the city, with heat and humidity pretty much dominating the conversation.”
The lengthy stretch of intense weather is being caused by a “heat dome,” or a hot-air mass that’s trapped under a high-pressure system that locks it in place.
City officials warned the public Monday to take the scorching conditions seriously — it’s not just about being uncomfortable, Mayor Eric Adams said at a Monday morning press conference.
“It can be deadly and life-threatening if you are not prepared,” he said, adding that New Yorkers who work outside should move slowly, take frequent breaks and do “whatever is possible to keep your body temperature down.”
The construction workers — who were jackhammering away on Broadway, near Times Square on Tuesday — were trying to take that to heart.
Robert Miller
“We gotta keep the hardhat on, so that makes it even hotter,” 22-year-old Sean Doyle said. “I put a cold rag under the hard hat, and I throw cold water on my face.”
“You’re sweating all day long, nonstop. It’s uncomfortable, your clothes are sticking to you,” he continued. “The best thing to do is stay hydrated, help each other out, take turns. If I’m digging, and I get tired, my coworker would be like, ‘Get out, take a break. It’s my turn.’”
But it’s all part of the job, he added.
“If it’s 100 degrees, we are out here,” he said. “If it’s 0 degrees, we are out here. We got no choice. If a water main breaks, we have to respond. We just have to take care of ourselves.”
Others were already thinking of ways out.
“Maybe I’ll just take two days off — a couple sick days,” said Mikey, a 33-year-old construction supervisor. “That’s why you got to save them. I’m hoping it’s not going to be that bad.”
But it wasn’t just the construction workers soaked in sweat and broiling in misery.
“Oh my God, it’s very hot today!” said Gabriel Rubio, a costume character worker from Queens who was dressed as Captain America. “I think I’m going to work only an hour more, and then leave. The hotter days are definitely harder because of the costume — even more difficult than the cold.”
Rubio added that his Times Square business takes a nosedive when it’s that hot — people flee the cities for the beaches, where they soak in the sun and leave the Big Apple’s charred air behind.
Others shared his disdain for the warmth that’s swallowed the five boroughs whole.
“We’re in Africa now!” said Ali Abdaroof, who said he’s been working a smoothie cart for the last four years.
“I’m going to stay home Thursday and Friday, stay inside and blast the AC,” Abdaroof added. “I either lose business or lose myself. Nobody likes it.”
Adam Soufar, a 35-year-old steward of a coffee and pastry cart near Columbus Circle, agreed.
“If it’s 80 degrees outside, it feels like 87 inside [the cart] because we’re in the hot metal with hot machines,” he said, before saying he was staying home Thursday and Friday because of the expected lava-like temps.
“I don’t think there will be people around who want hot coffee,” he said. “Closing up wouldn’t be good for business, but I don’t want to think about that.”
“Summer has been getting worse,” he continued. “It’s really bad.”
Some organizations — such as Bike New York — postponed much-anticipated events like the Discover Hudson Valley Ride because of the heat dome that’s settled over the city.
“Our Discover Hudson Valley Ride is postponed until Saturday, July 13 due to unsafe weather conditions impacting the event’s setup on Friday and Saturday as well as Sunday’s ride,” the group said in a statement. “The safety of our riders, volunteers, and staff will always come first.”
Others tried to make the best of it.
“I usually end up starting my shift sweaty, but as long as I keep my refreshments and stay hydrated I should be ok,” said Ivellise Peña, a Central Park carousel worker from Manhattan.
“The heat wave brought more people to the carousel because it feels cooler in here than out there,” he continued. “So people come here to hide out.”
And some brushed it off as just the price you pay for living in the Big Apple.
“If you’re a true New Yorker, this doesn’t affect you at all,” said Frank Moon, 60. “It’s humid like it’s supposed to be this time of year.”
“You take it as it comes,” he added. “And it comes, kinda like a postman.”
