New York City residents have been feeling the heat since a wave of 90-degree weather and high humidity moved into the region Sunday, May 17.
Meteorologists expect the warmup to continue through Wednesday before temperatures cool back into the 70s by Thursday, May 21.
How hot will it get in New York City?
Tips to stay cool during extreme heat
The National Weather Service says extreme heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, contributing to more than 1,000 deaths each year.
Here are five ways to stay safe in the heat:
Air quality alert issued for NYC, Hudson Valley
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for Monday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. for New York, Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond, Westchester and Rockland counties. Officials said air quality levels are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index value of 100 due to elevated ground-level ozone.
What the advisory means
The Air Quality Index, or AQI, measures pollution levels and related health concerns. Higher AQI values indicate a greater risk to public health. When air pollution levels are elevated, the New York State Department of Health recommends limiting strenuous outdoor activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects.
People most sensitive to poor air quality include:
Anyone experiencing symptoms should consider consulting a physician.
More information
Additional air quality information is available on the New York State Air Quality Forecast website or by calling the Air Quality Hotline at 800-535-1345.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: 95-degree heat, air quality alerts hit NYC area this week. What to know
Reporting by Alexandra Rivera, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
