2-3 Days More Stifling Heat: Hudson Valley Forecast

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — With heat advisories continuing across the region, including overnight, residents are being warned by just about everybody to stay hydrated, conserve energy, and keep an eye on children, older adults, and people who are sick.

"There continues to be an elevated risk of heat-related illness for vulnerable populations through Tuesday," said the National Weather Service.

Temperatures keep climbing back into the 90s, the humidity is pushing the heat index up over 100 degrees. Summer smog is adding to the thick uncomfortable feeling, with air quality only moderate in the New York metro area.

In Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties, the heat advisory stretches from Monday morning till Tuesday night.

In Dutchess and Ulster counties, the head advisory ends at 8 p.m. Monday, but NWS officials warned a heat advisory may be needed for parts of the mid-Hudson Valley on Tuesday if confidence for heat index values meeting or exceeding 95 degrees increases.

Plus, scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon into early evening hours Monday and Tuesday will pose a localized risk of flash flooding and severe weather without causing temperatures to drop.

"Monday and Tuesday will all feature scattered afternoon showers and T-storms due to the instability in the atmosphere. Those storms will pop up at random, and could bring some rainfall to parts of the area," said Alex Marra and Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather. "However more than 50% of the region is likely to be dry on each day... so it's really a matter of luck if you see rainfall from an afternoon T-Storm."

However, meteorologists are promising a change by the middle of the work week.

"A slow-moving cold front set to usher cooler air across the region will be preceded by thunderstorms on Wednesday that will stretch from the Northeast through the Tennessee Valley," said Alyssa Smithmyer, AccuWeather Meteorologist.

Westchester County health officials issued an advisory Monday recommending that residents avoid strenuous activity, drink lots of water, avoid alcohol and caffeine, and take precautions to prevent heat-related illness.

"And during a heat wave, remember to always check in on your elderly or ailing neighbors," said said County Executive George Latimer.

Sherlita Amler, MD, Westchester County Commissioner of Health, said people who are most vulnerable to adverse effects from the heat include the very young, seniors, people who are obese and those with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes or lung conditions.

“Heat stroke and dehydration can take you by surprise,” Amler said. “High humidity, chronic health conditions and some medications can also increase a person’s risk for heat stroke.”

Heat stroke claims many lives nationwide each year. Symptoms include hot red, dry skin, shallow breathing, a rapid, weak pulse and confusion. Anyone suffering from heat stroke needs to receive emergency medical treatment immediately. Call 911 if you suspect heat stroke and immediately cool the overheated person while waiting for emergency help to arrive.

Another concern during a heat wave is heat exhaustion. In addition to the above list of vulnerable people, anyone who works outside or in other hot environments is at risk. Signs include headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness and exhaustion, as well as cool, moist, pale or flushed skin.

With demand so high, be smart about your energy use. Heat, humidity and all those air conditioners can cause cables to overheat and lead to outages. The thunderstorms coming can affect the overhead delivery system and cause outages.

• Turn down or turn off air conditioning in your home while you are away or at work to help
• lower your energy bill.
• Set your air conditioner to the highest temperature your comfort and health will allow to
• help you save on cooling costs.
• Close all doors and windows in your home while the air conditioning is running to make
• things cooler at a lower price.
• Cook, bake, or perform other household activities that produce heat and humidity during
• the cooler times of the day and night.
• Pull your curtains and shades closed to help block out the sun and the heat of the day.

If you experience a power outage, don’t assume that your utility company automatically knows about it. Report it.

Plan to travel by car? Prepare before hitting the road. Always travel with a spare battery, and avoid leaving radios, phone chargers and other accessories running when the engine is not. Check to make sure your air conditioning is properly functioning and coolant is at the proper level. If you plan to travel in less populated areas, bring water and an umbrella for shade if it becomes necessary to leave the car. Always keep air flowing throughout the vehicle, and try to park in the shade.