28-05-2025
NYS Department of Health launches interactive heat risk dashboard
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — As weather agencies around the world predict a rise in annual temperatures, New York State is addressing a predicted increase across the state after a CDC report detailed the serious risks of heat exposure.
According to the CDC, extreme heat is one of the leading causes of death both nationally and statewide.
The New York State Department of Health has launched an interactive Heat Risk and Illness Dashboard to help health officials determine the potential risk of heat exposure to residents in their area.
The dashboard uses a five-color scale to demonstrate different levels of estimated risk and patterns throughout New York, providing a weeklong 'HeatRisk forecast'.
Get ready for several years of killer heat, top forecasters warn
'This is a new tool that will help us understand the risk hot weather presents to us. We have moved beyond, 'it's not the heat, it's the humidity,' it's much more complicated than that, and this dashboard offers better insight into your risk,' State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said.
The Heat Risk and Illness Dashboard was created using data collected by the National Weather Service, New York State Mesonet, and New York State Department of Health, which report and monitor heat-related emergency room visits and calls for heat-related illnesses.
The New York State Department of Health also provides a directory of cooling centers available for residents on their website.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
