Ongoing Warm Wave Triggers Air Quality Alert In The Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Capping off a week of increasing temperatures — we broke a record in Poughkeepsie Thursday — the air we breathe has become unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Who? The elderly and the very young, as well as people with conditions such as heart disease, asthma or COPD.

And it's going to linger through the evening. An air quality alert goes into effect for Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster and Westchester counties from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

"We're very likely heading for another record-breaking day on Friday," said Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather. "A massive upper level ridge over the eastern US has set the stage by building a dome of heat over the Northeast US. Temps across the northeast will be 20 to 30 degrees above average on Friday. The record high in Poughkeepsie for Friday is 84° set just last year."

While high ozone levels are normally restricted to the warm season, fine particles can be high at any time of year. Mostly from cars, trucks and power plants, high fine particle levels are also caused by wildfires. To help reduce pollution levels, refrain from unnecessary driving and use public transportation if available, federal officials said.

Consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects, state health officials said.

Don't expect it to cool way down overnight. Potter said overnight lows will come close to what is the average high temperature for April 14-15.

However, as the work week begins, an actual cold front is expected to move in; temperatures will drop, and we could enter a period of April showers.

"A storm with some rain from the Southeast states and a breeze from the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday will hack away at highs in the 80s from Thursday and Friday," said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist. Then a cold front approaching from the Midwest, which is expected to bring snow to the Plains, "will be responsible for showers from Sunday afternoon to Sunday night following Saturday's coastal storm."

Here's the 5-day forecast based on Northern Westchester:

• Friday - Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 80s. Northwest winds around 5 mph, becoming south this afternoon.
• Tonight - Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
• Saturday - Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the morning, then a chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Cooler with highs in the upper 60s. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Saturday Night - Cloudy. Showers likely with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
• Sunday - Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog in the morning. A chance of showers, mainly in the morning. Highs in the mid 60s. East winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.
• Sunday Night - Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the lower 50s. Chance of rain 40 percent.
• Monday - Showers likely. Highs in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 70 percent.
• Monday Night - Mostly cloudy. Showers likely, mainly in the evening. Lows in the mid 40s. Chance of rain 70 percent.
• Tuesday - Partly sunny. A chance of showers in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 50s. Chance of rain 30 percent.
• Tuesday Night - Partly cloudy. A chance of showers in the evening. Lows in the upper 30s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

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