OLEAN — Hot weather remains in the forecast for the rest of the week.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo continued its heat advisory into Thursday evening for all of Western New York until 8 p.m. Heat indexes — which take into account temperature and humidity levels — are expected to remain as high as 96 degrees in Olean, Springville and Wellsville.
The NWS predicted highs near 89 in Olean on Wednesday, but several public thermometers indicated highs around 91. Heat indexes peaked Wednesday afternoon as high as 104 degrees in Rochester, with triple-digit figures in the Finger Lakes and Central New York reported in Batavia, Canandaigua and Fulton. The highest projected in Western New York hit 99 in Springville and Niagara Falls. For Thursday, figures are not expected to break 99 degrees anywhere in Upstate.
On Thursday, the weather is expected to be partly sunny with a high near 91 and a heat index around 96. Thunderstorms which could produce heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the late afternoon and evening. Up to an inch of rain was expected.
Temperatures will drop, but more rain is on the way into the weekend. Friday is expected to be rainy with scattered thunderstorms and a high around 82. Saturday will also see rain and isolated thunderstorms with a high around 85. Sunday will also be rainy with thunderstorms and a high of 80.
Most area residents appeared to be finding ways to beat the heat. Olean General Hospital, for example, reported few impacts of the heat on cases.
“This week our emergency department has seen a slight increase in patient volume. The increase is not attributed to heat-related issues other than a mild bump in respiratory cases, probably exacerbated by the higher temperatures,” said Joseph Fuglewicz, director of Twin Tiers marketing for Olean General Hospital parent organization Upper Allegany Health System. “Inside our facility, our cooling systems have been working at capacity with minor issues due to the humidity. Our facilities team is closely monitoring and making any adjustments to the cooling system to maintain a satisfactory environment inside the facility that continue to have no impact on patient care."
The hospital auxiliary will run its annual Strawberry Festival as scheduled from 10-6 p.m. on Thursday under tents erected earlier in the week on the hospital lawn.
“We recommend participants follow some extra precautions,” Fuglewicz said. “These precautions include: Wear light-colored loose clothing, seek shade whenever possible including wearing a hat or bringing an umbrella, staying hydrated and cool, and limiting physical activity.”
The John Ash Community Center on North Barry Street in Olean remains open from 1-5 p.m. Thursday and Friday as a cooling center. Cooling centers in area libraries also remained open.
The Franchot Park wading pool in South Olean will be open from 11 a.m.-2 and 2:30-5 p.m. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as from 2-5 p.m. Friday due to prior reservations at the facility.