A heat advisory and air quality alert are in effect for the Lower Hudson Valley on Wednesday, July 16, after the region experienced major flash flooding, road closures and power outages Monday evening.
The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for portions of southern Connecticut, northeast New Jersey and downstate New York, in effect until 10 p.m. Wednesday. An air quality alert has also been issued from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday.
Why the NWS issued the heat advisory for the NYC region
The National Weather Service said a heat advisory is issued when the heat index, the combination of heat and humidity as it feels to the human body, is predicted to feel like “95 to 99 degrees for two or more consecutive days or 100 to 104 degrees for any length of time.”
Temperatures are expected to reach 90 degrees Wednesday, but the heat index could make temperatures feel like 98 degrees or higher.
Children, older people, pregnant people and people with chronic or pre-existing conditions are at an increased risk for heat illnesses.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also recommends scheduling “frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments” when doing work outdoors.
Lower Hudson Valley air quality alert Wednesday, July 16
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said ground level ozone pollutants in the air due to the heat could exceed safe air quality index levels over 100.
As of 8:45 a.m., airnow.gov measured the Lower Hudson Valley’s Air Quality Index as “Good,” with an AQI score of 38, but an Ozone level of 108.
The air in the early morning hours is not yet dangerous for at-risk groups, but as the sun continues to rise and heat things up, the NYSDEC says that risk will increase.
At-risk populations for poor air quality include “the very young, and those with preexisting respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease,” said NWS in the alert.
NYSDEC said those at risk should stay inside and limit physical activity.
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This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Heat and air quality advisories in effect for Westchester, Rockland, Putnam July 16
Reporting by Alexandra Rivera, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
