Central Park hit 100 degrees Thursday for the first time in more than a decade, as a dangerous heat wave pushed New York City into a holiday weekend emergency.

The reading marked the first triple-digit temperature in Central Park since July 18, 2012. Forecasters said Friday could bring another 100-degree day, which would give the city its first back-to-back 100-degree stretch since July 2011.

The National Weather Service issued an Extreme Heat Warning for New York City until Saturday night, with heat index values expected to reach 105 to 115 degrees. Officials warned that the combination of heat and humidity could sharply increase the risk of heat-related illness, especially for people outside, older adults and residents without air conditioning.

The heat is expected to remain dangerous through Friday before easing slightly on July 4, when temperatures could still reach the mid-90s. Storms are also possible Saturday afternoon, threatening parts of the holiday weekend before temperatures begin returning closer to normal by Monday.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared a heat emergency and urged New Yorkers to stay indoors when possible. “The single most important thing you can do in these temperatures is to stay indoors with air conditioning,” Mamdani said. “If you can avoid going outside during the hottest hours of the day, please do so.”

City officials opened hundreds of cooling centers across the five boroughs and said more than 2,200 LinkNYC kiosks would show real-time directions to nearby cooling sites. The city also expanded outreach to vulnerable residents, including wellness checks, water distribution and COOL vans offering help to New Yorkers exposed to the extreme heat.