Relief On The Horizon: Hudson Valley Heat

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — While dirty air and high nighttime temperatures are among the hazards as heat builds across the region in time for the summer solstice, forecasters are looking to relief on the horizon — namely, next week.

The cold front will usher in cooler air with less humidity starting Saturday across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest, according to AccuWeather. The front will then push through the Ohio Valley on Sunday and arrive in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic on Monday.

Meanwhile, heat advisories remain in effect for most of this region through 8 p.m. Thursday. Additional advisories may be needed for Friday as dangerous levels of heat and humidity may continue on Friday, mainly for the Mid-Hudson Valley, the National Weather Service said.

"It’s going to be a tough period with hot weather and some oppressive humidity, at times," Bruce Furbeck of First Due Weather said on Facebook.

The combination of temperatures in the low to mid-90s with locally upper 90s and high humidity will lead to heat index values or “feel-like” temperatures between 95 and 104°F, the NWS said.

Those high heat index values during the day followed by warm/muggy nights will increase the risk for heat-related illnesses, especially for sensitive populations including people with chronic illnesses, the very young and the elderly.

"Record warm overnight temperatures will prevent natural cooling and allow the heat danger to build over time indoors without air conditioning," the NWS said.

Air quality advisories were issued again for the region, as ozone is at a level unhealthy for many.

The Thursday Air Quality Health Advisory regions consists of: New York City Metro, which includes New York City and Rockland and Westchester counties; Long Island, which includes Suffolk and Nassau counties; and Lower Hudson Valley, which includes Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, and Ulster counties.

In the Earth's lower atmosphere, near ground level, ozone is formed when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources react chemically in the presence of sunlight. Ozone at ground level is a harmful air pollutant. Breathing in high levels of ozone can increase the risk of health problems like coughing, breathing difficulty, and lung damage, according to New York health and environmental officials.

"Due to the stagnant weather pattern this week, air quality is anticipated to deteriorate significantly, particularly along the Interstate 95 corridor from Washington, D.C., to Boston,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys.

The heat wave will continue to affect a large swathe of the USA from the Midwest into much of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, the NWS said. "Afternoon high temperatures and warm overnight lows will likely challenge daily records and even some monthly records."

Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

The summer solstice occurs Thursday. Because the sun reaches its highest point in the sky with the solstice, this month's full moon will appear lower in the sky and look bigger, The Old Farmer’s Almanac reports.

SEE: June Full Strawberry Moon Ushers In Summer: When To See It In New York

Here's the 5-day forecast based on Poughkeepsie:

• Thursday - A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 99. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Thursday Night - A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers between 8pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Light southwest wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Friday - A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 11am. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 97. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Friday Night - Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Saturday - A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Saturday Night - A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
• Sunday - A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly cloudy and hot, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Sunday Night - A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Monday - A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Monday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 62.