Air quality alert for New York City area as weather could surge into 90s

The New York metropolitan area is under an air quality alert for ground-level ozone from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. as the weather really heats up.

The New York State Department of Health and Department of Environmental Conservation issued the air quality health advisory for the five boroughs, Westchester County and Rockland County.

“DEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter (PM2.5), are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100,” the departments’ commissioners said.

“Summer heat can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone, a major component of photochemical smog,” they added.

Elevated ozone levels can cause problems for people with cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease (like asthma), the elderly, and people exercising outdoors, the commissioners said.

“Ozone levels generally decrease at night and can be minimized during daylight hours by curtailment of automobile travel and the use of public transportation where available,” they said.

Summertime heat this week Just a few days ago, high temperatures were only in the 60s, and many people were complaining about how cool it was. Well, Mother Nature seems to have gotten the memo, as a summertime pattern has moved into the Tri-State Area and will be in place through Wednesday.

Expect hazy skies, highs in the mid to upper 80s, with 90s inland and cooler 70s at the coast for Monday. At night, the lows only slip into the 70s. The heat builds further tomorrow, with widespread 90s and the potential for some inland areas to hit 100 degrees. A record or two is possible. Places like Newark could experience a heat wave.

By Wednesday, the pattern turns a bit more unsettled. It stays hazy, hot, and humid, but thunderstorms are likely, and a few could be strong. Temperatures will climb into the low 90s, so the steamy stretch isn’t going anywhere just yet.

Cooling off After Wednesday, cooler temperatures, featuring highs in the 60s and 70s will return, and may last through the entire holiday weekend.

The summer-like heat this week will no doubt have people flocking to the local beaches. However, caution should be taken by anyone who goes in the water. Local water temperatures are still in the 50s, posing a high risk of hypothermia. There also will be a moderate to high risk of rip currents through at least Wednesday.