Bad Air, Hot Temps: Ossining's Work Week Weather

OSSINING, NY — An Air Quality Alert is in place for Monday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for Westchester and Rockland counties as the region enters the second day of 90-degree heat. High levels of particulate pollutants in the air could cause health problems, particularly for the very young and those with respiratory conditions.

"After an extended period of cool weather, the heat has flooded the area," said Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather. "Stay cool, take it slow… and be sure to drink plenty of water. Heat exhaustion can set in quickly if you’re out in the sun for too long, and especially if you’re being physically active."

People aren't used to the heat, given that we were all in sweaters a couple of days ago. Plus, the summer solstice is approaching, Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist, pointed out, "the sun is at its highest point in the sky and can easily make 90-degree temperatures feel like 100 to 105 and 95-degree temperatures in urban areas feel like 105 to 110."

The National Weather Service offers this work-week forecast for northern Westchester:

Today
Sunny. Highs around 90. West winds around 5 mph, increasing to around 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph this afternoon.

Tonight
Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 60s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday
Mostly sunny. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs around 90. West winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s. Northwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny. Less humid with highs in the upper 70s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night
Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 50s.

Thursday
Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.

Thursday Night
Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s.

Friday
Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. A chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs around 70. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Friday Night
Cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 50s. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Here's the NWS air quality alert:

Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an air quality index value of 100 for ozone.
The air quality index...or AQI...was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale. The higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern.

When pollution levels are elevate...the New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with pre existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease. Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician.

For additional information, please visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website or call the Air Quality Hotline at 800-535-1345.

Image: AccuWeather.com