A ridge of high pressure parked over the Northeast will deliver another day of unbroken sunshine across New York City and its suburbs, forecasters said Thursday, keeping temperatures mild by early October standards and pushing any rain chances well beyond the weekend.

"Expect bright days and crisp nights," said Michael Solomon, senior meteorologist at CBS New York. "High pressure is locking in dry air and clear skies. Daytime highs should reach the upper 60s to low 70s in the city, with inland suburbs a few degrees warmer and overnight lows dipping into the upper 40s."

Satellite and surface observations Wednesday showed the ridge strengthening, with light northwest winds and low humidity producing stable conditions. The National Weather Service forecast called for daytime highs in the 65–72°F (18–22°C) range across the tri-state area, gusts generally under 10 mph, and no significant cloud cover through Saturday. A weak disturbance may return some clouds and a slight chance of showers early next week as the ridge shifts eastward, but models agree the immediate outlook remains dry.

The benign pattern is a boon for fall events and travel. Organizers of Saturday's Lustgarten Foundation Walk for Pancreatic Cancer reported higher than expected turnout after weeks of planning, citing the forecast as a key factor in last-minute registrations. Commuters can also expect a smoother morning with no weather-related transit disruptions, mechanics and transit officials noted, though cool overnight temperatures will make for brisk pre-dawn commutes.

Public-health officials, however, urged vigilance. Rockland County confirmed the area's first human West Nile virus case in early October, and while the dry, sunny days reduce mosquito activity during daylight, mosquitoes remain active at dusk and dawn. "People should continue to take standard precautions — repellents, removing standing water — especially when outdoors during evening hours," said a spokesman for the county health department.

The cloudless forecast also has implications for air quality and energy demand. Local environmental monitors reported low particulate levels and an overall favorable air-quality index Thursday, but urban planners cautioned that prolonged sunny periods can elevate ozone concentrations if temperatures rise. Energy officials said lower-than-normal heating demand is expected overnight, though seasonal heating will return as nighttime lows decline.

The weather services that produce these forecasts are operating normally despite ongoing federal funding disputes. Federal agencies have long designated weather and emergency operations as excepted functions during lapses in appropriations, ensuring that forecasts, warnings and aviation briefings continue without interruption, officials said.

For now, New Yorkers can savor the late-summer warmth while preparing for a more autumnal turn. "Enjoy the sunshine, but keep a light jacket handy for the evening," Solomon said. "This pattern gives us a comfortable window, but fall is still on the move.