Bad Air, Hot Temps: White Plains' Work Week Weather

WHITE PLAINS, 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, with a high near 91. West wind 6 to 10 mph.
• Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. West wind 5 to 7 mph.
• Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. West wind 5 to 8 mph.
• Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Northwest wind around 6 mph.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Northeast wind 5 to 8 mph.
• Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
• Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
• Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 60.

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