STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island residents face a dangerous combination of intense heat and potential severe thunderstorms on Friday, with the National Weather Service issuing heat advisories and warning of possible damaging wind gusts.

A flood watch has also been issued in Washington, D.C., while the Midwest also has the potential for flooding.

With a heat advisory in effect for much of the day, New Yorkers should consider limiting any strenuous activity outside. The National Weather Service (NWS) warns that these conditions lead to an increased risk of heat-related illnesses, like heat stroke.

The heat and humidity build Thursday into Friday, and some areas could flirt with heat warning criteria by Friday afternoon.

More than 97 million people are under life-threatening heat alerts from the South to the East Coast as a large ridge of high pressure builds over the central U.S. this week, commo

Forecasters warned that seniors and those with chronic health problems faced increased heat risk. Meanwhile, a disturbance was swirling in the Gulf.

A flash flood warning was in effect in New York City until 9:45 p.m., and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency. Middlesex, Morris and Somerset counties remained under a flood warning until 7:15 a.m. Tuesday.