Hazardous Weather, Air Quality Alert For Hudson Valley

The Hudson Valley is facing one more day of heat and humidity — with the chance of severe weather — before the cool down begins. An air quality alert was issued by the state Department of Environmental Conservation for Rockland and Westchester counties.

It is in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday.

The ozone level is expected to be elevated, and that means people who are sensitive to the effects of higher levels of pollutants should consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects.

Regarding the possibility of severe weather, both the mid- and lower Hudson Valley are under hazardous weather outlooks.

The NWS said that Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties have a marginal risk for severe weather Thursday afternoon and evening. The primary threat is damaging winds in the strongest storms.

For Dutchess County, there is marginal risk for an isolated strong thunderstorm across southern Dutchess County Thursday afternoon.

Any thunderstorm could contain gusty winds and briefly heavy rain.

For the region, the high for Thursday will be in the upper 80s with high humidity.

On Friday and Saturday, you will have a chance to enjoy cooler temperatures in the mid- to upper 70s during the days, along with partly to mostly sunny skies.

The next chance for rain is Sunday.

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