Steamy Temperatures Lead To Soaking Rain, Flash Flood Threat On LI: NWS

LONG ISLAND, NY — After days of sweltering heat, Long Island is slated for a cool-down, but the oppressive temps will be followed by soaking rains and a flood watch, the National Weather Service said.

According to the NWS, a heat advisory, with the heat index making it feel as though it's up to 101 degrees, remains in effect through 8 p.m. Wednesday.

In addition, a flood watch is in effect from Thursday through Friday afternoon across Long island. Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible, with up to 5 inches possible in Nassau County and around 3 inches expected in Suffolk County, the NWS said.

Rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour will be possible.

In addition, an air quality alert remains in effect until 11 p.m. Wednesday night across Long Island, the NWS said.

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. 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, officials said.

When pollution levels are elevated, 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 levels of pollutants include the very young, and those with preexisting respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease.
Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician.

Temperatures for Friday are expected to cool down significantly, with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s; the weekend is expected to bring sunshine, the NWS said.