Staten Island, you win the heat crown today. While Manhattan tops out near 84°F, the National Weather Service has Richmond County reaching 91°F this Friday afternoon — the hottest reading in the five boroughs. It is mostly sunny, nearly windless, and dry. The catch: the same conditions that bake the Island are cooking up an air-quality problem, and a state advisory now covers all of Staten Island from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Why Staten Island runs hotter
Forecast period: Friday, June 5, 2026, issued by NWS Upton at 3:08 a.m. ET (gridpoint OKX 29,35, covering central Staten Island).
Staten Island regularly posts the warmest borough high on calm, sunny days, and today is textbook. With only a 2–8 mph west wind, there is little ocean breeze off the Lower Bay or the Arthur Kill to take the edge off. Inland neighborhoods — New Springville, the Greenbelt corridor, Travis — heat up fastest. Shore strips in South Beach, Midland Beach, and Tottenville will feel a degree or two cooler when the air moves off the water in the afternoon, but not by much today.
The air quality advisory hits the Island too
The New York State DEC has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for Richmond County (and the rest of the metro) for ground-level ozone, with the Air Quality Index forecast above 100 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. That is the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” band. Ozone is a hot-afternoon pollutant — it forms in sunlight and stagnant air and peaks late in the day. If you have asthma or a heart condition, or you are minding young kids or older relatives, keep hard outdoor exertion short this afternoon. Details: on.ny.gov/nyaqi; hotline 1-800-535-1345.
What Friday means on the Island
- Staten Island Ferry & SIR: No weather delays expected — it is dry and calm. The open ferry deck is a genuinely pleasant way to beat the heat midday, with a breeze over the Upper Bay. Staten Island Railway platforms, mostly open-air, will be hot by afternoon; bring water for the ride to St. George.
- Express buses to Manhattan: Normal service. Cabins will be warm at the curb — the SIM lines sit in sun on Hylan Boulevard and Richmond Avenue stops.
- Schools (NYC DOE): In session. With the afternoon ozone advisory, Island schools may shift recess or gym indoors during peak heat — a building-level decision. No closures today.
- Alternate Side Parking: In effect. June 5 is not a 2026 ASP suspension date; the next is Juneteenth, Friday, June 19. Move for street cleaning as posted.
- Garbage & recycling (DSNY): Normal pickup, no suspension.
- Beaches: South Beach and Midland Beach are unguarded until the city lifeguard season is in full swing — check posted flags before swimming. Today is a strong beach-walk day; go morning or early evening to dodge the worst of the ozone and heat.
- Greenbelt & parks: Hike the Greenbelt trails early. By 2 p.m. you are in the teeth of both the heat and the ozone peak. Carry more water than you think you need.
The Island’s weekend
It gets hotter before it breaks: Saturday near 92°F on the Island, then showers and thunderstorms likely Saturday night. Sunday clears to a sunny 84°F with a northwest breeze — the pick of the weekend for a Tottenville-to-St. George bike ride or a Conference House Park afternoon. Plan outdoor plans for Saturday morning or Sunday, not Saturday evening.
Forecast source: National Weather Service, Upton NY (api.weather.gov, gridpoint OKX/29,35), issued June 5, 2026, 07:08 UTC. Air quality: NYS DEC / NWS Upton Air Quality Health Advisory, issued June 5, 2026, 3:42 a.m. EDT, covering Richmond County. Parking: NYC DOT 2026 Alternate Side Parking Suspension Calendar.
