Extreme Heat

Adapting to Extreme Heat in New York State

Extreme heat is a leading cause of death among hazardous weather events in the United States, according to the National Weather Service. Extreme heat is severely affecting the health and well-being of New Yorkers across the state. Climate change is already increasing the severity, duration, and frequency of extreme heat events in New York State. Impacts from extreme heat are likely to become more severe with rising temperatures and as heat waves become more intense, more frequent, and longer due to climate change.

By 2050, New York is projected to experience more days above 90°F (read the 2024 New York State Climate Impacts Assessment for projections). The number of heat waves (periods of three or more consecutive days above 90°F) per year is expected to rise significantly. Between 2000 and 2004, New York experienced an average of less than one heat wave every year. By the 2050s this rate could increase to up to eight heat waves per year for some regions of the state.

Extreme heat impacts occur unevenly across New York's communities and are worsened by socio-economic, environmental, age- and health-related conditions, and other factors that increase risks, especially to vulnerable groups. People of color, Indigenous People, unhoused people and people living in institutional settings, older adults, infants and children, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses are especially at risk. Vulnerability to extreme heat is also related to race and ethnicity, socio-economic status, and language proficiency. Learn more about heat-health risks on the DOH website. 

Also, be sure to check out the "DEC Does What?!" podcast episode on extreme heat.

New York State Action on Extreme Heat

Governor Hochul has prioritized addressing the current and future impacts of extreme heat for the State and has directed DEC and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to coordinate the State's efforts to adapt by directing the development of the Extreme Heat Action Plan, which provides a road map for coordinated State action. New York State prioritizes equity in health, well-being, and quality of life for all New Yorkers across all extreme heat planning initiatives.

Kids at a splash pad

Explore the Extreme Heat Action Plan

Explore the State Extreme Heat Action Plan and learn about included actions, how the State developed this plan, and how the plan will implement and evaluate it in the future.

The Extreme Heat Action Plan includes 49 actions the State plans to take to support the adaptation and resilience to extreme heat across New York State. Actions are organized in four tracks to

  • support extreme heat adaptation, planning and implementation (track 1);
  • enhance community preparedness, communication, and workers’ health and safety (track 2);
  • enhance the resilience of built environments, infrastructure, and managed spaces (track 3); and
  • advance ecosystem-based adaptation and natural solutions (track 4).

The table below provides a list of the actions included in the plan.

Build Capacity for Adaptation Planning and Implementation
T1.01Support scaled implementation through regional planning and coordination processes.
T1.02Support the development of regional community resilience networks.
T1.03Publish statewide high-resolution extreme heat exposure maps and fund capital projects that mitigate extreme heat and the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect.
T1.04Develop decision-support tools and services for State and local adaptation action.
T1.05Deepen climate resilience and extreme heat adaptation collaborations with frontline Community Based Organizations (CBOs), prioritizing schools and youth leaders and youth organizations.
T1.06Engage and consult with Indigenous Nations and Peoples on extreme heat and climate change adaptation.

Coordinate Preparedness and Pre-event Communication
T2.01Support development and implementation of regional and local heat emergency plans.
T2.02Expand coverage of, and improve access to, cooling centers. 
T2.03Expand access to safe swimming and address equity gaps with recreational opportunities for communities facing extreme heat.
T2.04Explore the ability of temporary emergency shelters to serve as emergency cooling centers.
T2.05Evaluate opportunities for improvements to the Cooling Center Finder.
T2.06Review, assess, and update existing statewide extreme heat communication and research ways to improve public health messaging and targeting related to extreme heat.

Support Resilient Built Environments
T3.01Expand immediate access to affordable cooling through additional funding for cooling equipment, expanded reimbursement by medical insurance, and continued advocacy. 
T3.02Explore the State’s long-term ability to mitigate energy cost burdens associated with cooling and electrification.
T3.03Coordinate thermal resilience, weatherization, and decarbonization for residential buildings across State programs.
T3.04Incorporate protection from cooling-related cost shifting into existing renter protection programs.
T3.05Identify appropriate State-owned facilities in which to install demonstration heat-mitigation solutions.
T3.06Enhance home energy assessments to incorporate resilience.
T3.07Support the installation of renewable sources of power and backup storage at public housing, group homes, assisted living facilities, and shelters.
T3.08Support installation of renewable sources of power and backup storage at community centers, schools, libraries, and other community settings.
T3.09Strengthen State building codes to account for extreme heat.
T3.10Develop model zoning overlays, technical support, and guidance for local land-use laws that consider extreme heat.
T3.11Develop requisite guidance and outreach to enable the voluntary use of heat-mitigating design measures and strategies, with a focus on disadvantaged communities.

Prioritize Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Green Infrastructure Solutions
T4.01Create an interagency committee to coordinate State programs that fund and implement green infrastructure and ecosystem-based adaptation to address extreme heat.
T4.02Regularly map and monitor land-cover changes in UHIs to improve adaptive interventions.
T4.03Develop and disseminate best practices and guidance for maximizing ecosystem- and community-adaptation benefits of green infrastructure and ecosystem-based adaptation implementation.
T4.04Develop risk assessments and planning tools under the State’s Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Framework for natural resource professionals and farmers to address extreme heat on farms.
T4.05Accelerate the implementation and maintenance of ecosystem-based and green infrastructure solutions across the state to reduce extreme heat impacts.
T4.06Fund and train arborists, foresters, youth conservation corps, and other conservation staff who will plan, install, and maintain green infrastructure and EbA to reduce extreme heat impacts.
T4.07Scale the production of heat-adapted trees and seed supply, including increasing the number of, and collaboration among, nurseries needed for implementing EbA to address extreme heat impacts.
T4.08Initiate a demonstration project communication campaign on best practices for green infrastructure and EbA solutions to extreme heat.

Extreme Heat Planning Documents

Help Inform State Action to Address Extreme Heat 

The New York State Extreme Heat Action Plan is a “living document,” – DEC and NYSERDA plan to regularly update the plan to guide ongoing efforts to adapt to extreme heat. The State invites continued public input to inform future updates to this plan and help the State address emergent needs and challenges, take advantage of new opportunities, and respond to changing conditions. Your continued input can help ensure that New York State and its communities can respond effectively and in a timely manner to current and future impacts of extreme heat.  

How to Submit Public Input

You can send your written submissions via mail or e-mail. 

  • E-MAIL: Send an e-mail with the subject line “extreme heat plan input” to [email protected]  

  • POSTAL MAIL: Send your submission addressed to: 
    Attn: Extreme Heat Action Planning 
    Office of Climate Change 
    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
    625 Broadway 
    Albany, NY 12233-1030

Overview of the New York State Extreme Heat Action Plan

Resources for Extreme Heat Adaptation

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Preparing for Summer Heat
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Extreme Heat and the Built Environment Webinar
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Extreme Heat and Health
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Showcasing Local Solutions and Partnerships

Heat and Health

DOH Heat-Health Information

DOL Workers' Health and Safety Resources

NYS Cooling Center Finder

Environmental Justice

Heat Vulnerability Index

NYS Disadvantaged Communities

Office of Environmental Justice

Climate Change

Office of Climate Change

Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act

Community Risk and Resiliency Act

Climate Impacts Assessment

Contact for this Page

Office of Climate Change
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-1030

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