New York City's subway system transformed into a subterranean sauna as extreme heat gripped the Northeast, with platform temperatures reaching dangerous levels. During a recent heatwave that saw Central Park hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit for the first time in nearly 15 years, the New York Post recorded platform surface temperatures that often mirrored or exceeded street-level heat. The "feels-like" temperature, which combines air temperature and humidity, clocked in at a blistering 107.9 degrees Fahrenheit at the Lexington Avenue-59th Street 6 train platform.
This sweltering underground environment is a stark contrast to the relative cool of subway cars, which hover in the mid-70s. Commuters described the experience of exiting a climate-controlled train onto a hot platform as akin to stepping from a controlled environment onto a "human hibachi." At the Times Square-42nd Street station serving the 1, 2, and 3 lines, the heat index climbed above 103 degrees Fahrenheit, with commuters like Skye Padovani expressing distress over the persistent heat.
The heat at the 14th Street-Union Square station, serving the L, 4, 5, and 6 trains, was particularly oppressive. Despite efforts with fans, temperatures reached 92.5 degrees Fahrenheit, with a heat index of 102 degrees Fahrenheit. One rider, Mary Bace, expressed concern about appearing for a job interview "sweaty and crazy" due to the conditions.
While some stations offered comparatively cooler conditions, such as Grand Central-42nd Street at 89.9 degrees Fahrenheit, others like Fulton Street recorded temperatures near 93 degrees Fahrenheit with a "feels-like" temperature approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Experts attribute this "subterranean sauna effect" to a combination of factors. Trains generate heat through braking and acceleration, passengers contribute body heat, and the concrete infrastructure traps and radiates warmth. Additionally, subway cooling systems paradoxically transfer heat from the trains to the tunnels. Rachel Weinberger, VP of Transportation at the Regional Plan Association, explained that the nature of New York's over-century-old open subway system, with its numerous openings, makes traditional climate control infeasible.
These extreme temperatures pose not only discomfort but also health risks. Anna Bershteyn, an associate professor at NYU Langone Health, noted that while rare, heat stroke deaths have occurred in the subway, along with incidents of riders fainting and falling onto tracks. Individuals with chronic health conditions, the elderly, young children, and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable. To mitigate risks, experts advise staying hydrated, minimizing platform wait times by checking train schedules, wearing lightweight clothing, and carrying water and portable fans.