Heat Advisory, Air Quality Alert In Effect For Parts Of HV

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — A heat advisory and an air quality alert are in effect for parts of the Hudson Valley Thursday.

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for southern Westchester starting at 11 a.m. Thursday and continuing through 8 p.m. Friday.

Heat index values up to 99 Thursday and up to 103 Friday can be expected. The highest temperatures and heat indices are expected between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. each afternoon.

Heat advisories are issued when the combination of heat and humidity is expected to make it feel as if it is 95 to 99 degrees for two or more consecutive days — or 100 to 104 degrees for any length of time.

Seniors and those with chronic health problems or mental health conditions are at an increased risk. Homes without air conditioning can be much hotter than outdoor temperatures.

And if a heat advisory weren't enough, the state Department of Environmental Conservation issued an air quality health advisory for Rockland and Westchester counties.

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

Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an air quality index value of 100 for the pollutant of ground-level ozone.

When pollution levels are elevated, the state Department of Health recommends that people 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 preexisting respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease.

In the mid-Hudson Valley, there is the possibility of a heat advisory for Friday, because the return of warm and humid conditions may result in heat index values reaching the mid- and upper-90s.

There is also a chance of thunderstorms Friday afternoon with locally heavy rainfall being the main threat. Isolated thunderstorms are possible for Saturday into Saturday night.

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