Massapequa Braves Start of Heat Wave

It probably doesn't help to remind you that summer hasn't arrived yet.

Temperatures rose to near the 90 degree mark Wednesday afternoon and higher elsewhere in the area.

The mercury is expected to go as high as 96 degrees Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

An air quality alert has been issued for Nassau County until 10 p.m, and Nassau County police released tips  about beating the heat.

Temperatures went as high as  94 degrees at La Guardia Airport, 89 at MacArthur Airport and 88 at Republic Airport in Farmingdale.

Although it was a scorcher of a day, it wasn't hot enough to put in place emergency precautions.

Physical Education classes in Massapequa schools went on as schedule the Town of Oyster Bay had not received a request from the county to set up a cooling center as of Wednesday afternoon, a spokeswoman said.

Many just took the heat in stride.

Connie LaStarza was walking on the pedestrian walkway in

"I always like to get my laps in, but I was worried today with the forecast," she said. "Turns out it wasn't so bad out after all. It's a little hot, yes, but it's nothing too harsh."

 Malcolm MacAndrews, also enjoyed some physical activity in the park.

 "I never listen to the weather...they're never right," he said. "I have a friend of mine that does his own independent weather research, and he emails us his forecast every day. He's usually more accurate than the bit-time folks...well, usually." 

For Michael Dillon, however, even a little hot is too hot. Growing tired of battling the heat at Burns Park, he was heading home to take a shower. 

"I'm a 'middle season' kind of guy," he said. "Spring, Fall...that's perfect weather. I can't take heat or cold. Some people might think today was mild, but for me, it just gets me worried about what's to come."