July 4 weekend weather, parking and gas. What you need to know

Whether you're planning a road trip or prefer to take in Utica's July 4 fireworks and parade, here's what you'll need to know this holiday weekend

Expect a sunny July 4, but try to keep cool

Friday is expected to be sunny in the Utica area, with temperatures creeping to nearly 90 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Weather Service. While thunderstorms followed by rain is predicted for Friday night into Saturday, Sunday and Monday are both expected to be sunny with highs around 80.

With high temperatures and sunny skies, staying cool and staying hydrated is a top priority. Those most at risk for heat-related illnesses include infants and young children, those over 65, people who are overweight, people who overexert themselves during work or exercise, and those with illnesses such as heart disease or who take certain medications, according to the CDC, which advises the following:

• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing

• Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible

• Limit your outdoor activity to when it’s coolest like the morning and evening, and limit outdoor exercise

• Wear sunscreen, as sunburn affects the body’s ability to cool down

• Stay hydrated

• Avoid hot and heavy meals

• Never leave infants, children or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open

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Tips for boaters this holiday weekend

With hot and sunny weather most of the weekend, it will likely be busy out on the water for the Oneida County Sheriff’s Marine and Recreation Patrol, which patrol bodies of water in Oneida County — primarily the eastern half of Oneida Lake, but also smaller bodies of water like Delta Lake as needed — unit supervisor Sgt. Scott Kahl said.

While the Marine Patrol reported no accidents last year, there were eight search and rescues conducted as well as 15 vessel or person assists (where there is no immediate danger reported), as well as a total of 73 citations or arrests for 2021.

Kahl advised the following for anyone going out on the water:

• Always check your safety equipment

• Always let people know where you’re going and your plans

• Make sure whoever operates the boat is knowledgeable and someone else can operate it as well

• Be familiar with any hazards in the water

• Check the weather forecast

• Always keep count of everyone with you

Kahl also noted that a new state, known as Brianna’s Law, requires all motorboat operators to have a boating safety certificate for those:

• Born on or after Jan. 1, 1993, beginning in 2020

• Born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, beginning in 2022

• Born on or after Jan. 1, 1983, beginning in 2023

• Born on or after Jan. 1, 1978, beginning in 2024

• Anyone born before Jan. 1, 1978, beginning in 2025

Where to find cheap gas for those on the go

After New York State average gas prices reached over $5 a gallon earlier this month, AAA announced Monday the state average had dropped to $4.95 a gallon — a five cent drop from a week earlier. While the state average hovered around $4.93 as of Thursday, and the national average was down to $4.86, gas prices in the Utica area were around $4.96 a gallon, according to AAA.

If you do have to travel this weekend, it's recommended to check apps and websites such as GasBuddy, Gas Guru, the AAA Mobile App and Waze. These can be used to locate the lowest gas prices based on location.

Parking and road closures in Utica

In Utica, where an Independence Day parade will start 10 a.m. Monday, and festivities will continue at 7 p.m. in FT Proctor Park with fireworks at dusk, the Utica Police Department announced the following parking bans and road closures on July 4:

• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.: A temporary parking ban goes in effect along the parade route, which starts on Genesee Street in front of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, heads north toward the Memorial Parkway where it will be turn right and proceed east to the Parkway Recreation Center.

• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: The same route will close to traffic; those heading to the St. Elizabeth Campus of Mohawk Valley Health Systems should use the entrance/exit on Ballantyne Brae.

• 5 to 11 p.m.: Parking will temporarily banned or limited in the following areas due to evening festivities and fireworks:

  • The 1800 blocks of Girard Street, South Street, Gardner Street and Guelich Street will be limited to parking on the north side of the street (so vehicles will park facing away from Culver Avenue towards Ontario Street);

  • The 1600 block of Lansing Street will be limited to parking on the north side of the street;

  • Ontario Street from Blandina to Rutger Street will be limited to parking on the west side of the street;

  • Ontario Street (from Rutger to South Street) will be limited to parking on the east side of the street;

  • Parking will be banned along the 1800 block of Rutger Street;

  • VIP, vendor or handicap parking will be allowed by pass or handicap placard only; parking will be directed to the grassy lots on Ludlow Avenue at Rutger Street and can be accessed via the traffic posts at Culver Avenue and Rutger Street, or Culver Avenue and Redfield Street. When exiting, use Ludlow Avenue to Redfield Street to Culver Avenue.

• 5 to 11 p.m.: The following roads will be closed or have detours due to evening festivities and fireworks:

  • Eastbound traffic on Rutger Street north or south on Ontario Street will be diverted at the intersection of Rutger and Ontario Street;

  • The 1900 block of Rutger Street will be closed;

  • Culver Avenue from Bleecker to Rutger Street will be closed;

  • The 1800 blocks of Lansing Street, Blandina Street and Culver Court will be closed;

  • Poe, Redfield and Ward streets will be closed to local necessary traffic only.

Utica police also advised that Centro will offer a free shuttle from Mohawk Valley Community College at Sherman Drive to Proctor Park starting at 6:30 p.m.

H. Rose Schneider covers public safety, breaking and trending news for the Observer-Dispatch. Email Rose at hschneider@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Utica July 4 weather, parking and travel information