Air quality and high heat advisories issued as temperatures and humidity climb

An air quality health advisory and a heat advisory will be in effect Wednesday for the Long Island region.

The air quality health advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday for the pollutant ground level ozone. Air quality will be “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” including the elderly, young children and people with respiratory disease (such as asthma).

The heat advisory is also in effect from noon Wednesday to 8 p.m. Thursday. Heat index values in the upper 90s to lower 100s are expected. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur.

Air quality health advisories are issued when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter, are expected to exceed an air quality index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI for Long Island Wednesday is forecast to reach 112.

People, especially young children, those who exercise outdoors, those involved in vigorous outdoor work and those who have respiratory disease (such as asthma) should consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity when ozone levels are the highest (generally afternoon to early evening). When outdoor levels of ozone are elevated, going indoors will usually reduce your exposure. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing should consider consulting their doctor.  

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.

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.

Use air conditioning to stay cool at home or go to a place that has air conditioning. Check on vulnerable friends, family members and neighbors.

Riverhead Town will open its senior center at 60 Shade Tree Lane as a cooling center Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The town will evaluate whether there is a need to open a cooling center again on Thursday and will make an announcement tomorrow.

Southold Town will open the Peconic Lane Community Center, located at 1170 Peconic Lane, as a cooling center today through Friday, from 9 a.m. through 8 p.m. for anyone looking for respite from the high heat and humidity, Supervisor Scott Russell said in a press release today.

The Suffolk County SPCA issued a statement today reminding people that dogs and cats can suffer from the same problems that humans do in hot weather. These health concerns include overheating, dehydration and even sunburn. Simple precautions against the hazards associated with hot weather include:

• Never leave your animal alone in a vehicle. Even with the windows open, a parked automobile can quickly become a furnace.
• Limit exercise. Your pet may slow down when the weather heats up, so the best time for exercise is in the early morning or evening, but never when it’s especially hot or humid.  
• Take care not to let your dog stand on hot asphalt, his body can heat up quickly and his sensitive paw pads can easily burn. 
• Never trim your pet’s coat to the skin, which can rob your dog of his protection from the sun.  
• Always provide plenty of shade and cool, clean water for animals when outdoors.
• Bring your cat or dog inside during the hottest part of the day. 
• Make sure your pet always wears a collar and identification tag.
• In Suffolk County tethering a dog outside in temperatures over 90° is against the law.