Bad Air Now, Heat Building In The Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The air quality in the region has dropped to "moderate" as temperatures rise into the high 80s on Wednesday.

The National Weather Service predicts temperatures will soar Thursday through Saturday and has already issued a heat advisory as temps are expected to be 6–12 degrees hotter than the average for the end of July.

Smoke from wildfires burning in Canada and the United States is reaching south and east.

The NWS issues a heat advisory when the combination of heat and humidity is expected to make it feel like it is 95 to 99 degrees for two or more consecutive days, or 100 to 104 degrees for any length of time.

"The heat will pale in comparison to the extreme levels experienced in the Southwest in recent weeks," said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist, pointing out that late July is usually the hottest part of the summer for the region. "However, temperatures will top the average levels by 6–12 degrees Fahrenheit and could challenge some daily record highs in the Midwest and Northeast."

A massive dome of high pressure has been the driving force of the heat in the Southwest this summer and that system will expand eastward. At least 45 states and more than 100 million Americans will experience high temperatures of 90 degrees or higher at some point this week, he said.

The NWS urges people to check on vulnerable friends, family members and neighbors. 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.

Working outdoors? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! In cases of heat stroke call 9 1 1.

"The way that heat hits us, our thinking gets slowed down, our concentration is really tough, our hand-eye coordination is off, we’re tired, we make mistakes," Kathy Baughman McLeod, director of the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center at the Atlantic Council, told AccuWeather.

Isolated severe thunderstorms passed through the region Tuesday, and more are possible Thursday.

"Flagged concerns for Severe Weather during Thursday afternoon and Thursday evening with the passage of an upper level disturbance," said Bruce Furbeck of First Due Weather. "The set up is signaling potential for strong/severe thunderstorms with gusty winds, large hail, and tornadoes."

A cold front will bring relief Sunday, the NWS said.

Here's the next 48 hours at a glance based on northern Westchester: