MANHATTAN — Summer has finally arrived.
With the polar vortex and heavy snowfall of winter still a painful memory for New Yorkers, the city basked in the hottest day since last July on Wednesday.
Temperatures were expected to reach the lower 90s Wednesday — the highest temperature recorded since July 20, 2013, according to the National Weather Service.
“Humidity really won’t be a factory too much today,” the service's spokesman said, adding that temperatures may actually feel a degree cooler because of the relatively low dew point.
The weather service is advising people to stay in air conditioning as much as possible today, drink plenty of liquids, avoid alcohol and save outdoor exercise until the evening.
Mouw Uin, 54, a fedora vendor in Midtown, was enjoying the warmth.
"It's good weather, it's warm but not too warm," he said.
"It'll be worse next month but, for now, I enjoy it."
The warm weather on Wednesday was already making things hard for people forced to be outside.
"It's very hot," said nut vendor Francisco Contreras, 55, who was working at his cart on the corner of 50th Street and Seventh Avenue.
"The smoke is blowing in my face. I'm sweating. It's a tough job all year, but especially when it's this hot."
John Perez, 31, of East Harlem, was delivering soda in Midtown Wednesday afternoon.
"I look like an animal," Perez said, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead. "But this job is not for looking pretty."
Despite the city cranking up the AC, a Con Edison spokesman said there had been no problems with the power supply.
Highs are expected to reach the upper 80s on Thursday and Friday and will drop to the low 80s at the weekend.
