'Pumping Heat And Humidity' Into The Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — With heat index values up to 100 degrees expected, and the air quality deteriorating, Wednesday and Thursday look to be the region's steamy side of summer.

A heat advisory has been issued for Putnam and northern Westchester counties, in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday. For Orange, Rockland and southern Westchester counties, the National Weather Service extended the heat advisory that went into effect Tuesday morning until then.

For Dutchess and Ulster counties, a heat advisory is in effect until 7 p.m. Wednesday, though the NWS warned another may be issued for Thursday.

"Temperatures early this week are topping out 10-15 degrees above normal from interior New England down through the mid-Atlantic," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Heather Zehr. "A large high pressure area over the Southeast is pumping heat and humidity into the Northeast."

A Heat Advisory is issued 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.

And if Wednesday already feels uncomfortable, take a look at the heat index predictions for Thursday and Friday.

Things will subside only slightly on Friday.

The NWS said:

Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year. Heat can be very taxing on the body; check out the heat related illnesses that can occur with even a short period of exposure. Everyone can be vulnerable to heat, but some more so than others. According to The Impacts Of Climate Change On Human Health In The United States: A Scientific Assessment the following groups are particularly vulnerable to heat.

• Young children and infants are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death, as their bodies are less able to adapt to heat than are adults.
• Older adults, particularly those with pre existing diseases, take certain medications, are living alone or with limited mobility who are exposed to extreme heat can experience multiple adverse effects.
• People with chronic medical conditions are more likely to have a serious health problem during a heat wave than healthy people.
• Pregnant women are also at higher risk. Extreme heat events have been associated with adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and infant mortality, as well as congenital cataracts.

Check on vulnerable friends, family members and neighbors.

Homes without air conditioning can be much hotter than outdoor temperatures. Use air conditioning to stay cool at home or go to a place that has air conditioning

To reduce risk during outdoor work, 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.

In cases of heat stroke call 9 1 1.

Ozone and particulates have affected air quality in eastern New York and along the East Coast.

"After this Friday temperatures will begin to cool off with rainfall, showers, clouds, and thunderstorms in the forecast," Bruce Furbeck of First Due Weather said on Facebook. "Overall, ten day rainfall suggestions range anywhere from 1/2” to 3” of rainfall with potential for as much as 6” to 7” of rainfall across the area."

Here's the 5-day forecast for southern Westchester:

• Wednesday - Mostly sunny. Humid with highs in the lower 90s. Northwest winds around 5 mph. Heat index values in the upper 90s.
• Tonight - Mostly clear. Humid with lows in the lower 70s. West winds around 5 mph.
• Thursday - Sunny with highs in the lower 90s. West winds around 5 mph, becoming south in the afternoon. Heat index values in the upper 90s.
• Thursday Night - Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Humid with lows in the lower 70s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
• Friday - Partly sunny. A slight chance of showers in the morning, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Humid with highs in the mid 80s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent.
• Friday Night - Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Saturday - Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain 70 percent.
• Saturday Night - Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then showers likely after midnight. Lows around 70. Chance of rain 70 percent.
• Sunday - Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the morning, then showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain 60 percent.
• Sunday Night - Mostly cloudy. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 60 percent.

Meanwhile, stay more comfortable while saving on energy costs by following these tips from Orange & Rockland Utilities:

• Turn down or turn off air conditioning in your home while you are away or at work to help lower your energy bill. Set your air conditioner to the highest temperature your comfort and health will allow to help you save cooling money.
• Close all doors and windows in your home while the air conditioning is running to keep things cooler at a lower price.
• Cook, bake or perform other household activities that produce heat and humidity during the cooler times of the day and night.
• Pull your curtains and shades closed to help block out the sun and the heat of the day.