By Olivia Scheck
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Back-to-back 90 degree days will have New Yorkers clinging to their air conditioners this weekend, as a hellish July continues to heat up.
Forecasters predict that temperatures will reach 96 degrees on Saturday, dropping down to 91 degrees on Sunday. But humidity will have it feeling like 104 and 94 degrees, respectively.
Saturday's heat may even compete with the historical record-high of 97 degrees in Central Park, set in 1999.
Scattered showers should bring some relief, but Manhattanites can still expect to see flooding fire hydrants and sweaty straphangers yet again.
The weekend heat wave is just the latest in a series of notably scorching July days this year in Manhattan.
The number of residents that have enjoyed city pools since the summer began is up 11 percent from this time last year, while beach attendance for July alone has already surpassed last summer's total by 32 percent, according to the New York Times.
Carriage horse drivers in Central Park have been parked in the barn by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for 11 out of 23 days this month, the paper added.
And murders in New York City are ahead of pace this year, reaching 44 in just 20 days, compared to 53 during all 31 days of July 2009, according to the Times. Homicides are believed to increase as hot weather pushes people outdoors during the summer months.
However, relief may be on the way. Temperatures are expected to drop below the 90 degree mark Monday and remain there for the rest of next week.
