Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the State Department of Health have issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for ozone for Tuesday, August 12. The advisory covers the Lower Hudson Valley and New York City Metro regions. The advisory remains in effect today, Monday, August 11, for Long Island, New York City Metro, and Lower Hudson Valley.
Wildfire smoke is still visible at high altitudes as it clears out of the state. Residents and visitors are being reminded to consider air quality in their daily routines during warm weather. Governor Hochul also recently urged New Yorkers to prepare for several days of high temperatures across the state through Wednesday. On Tuesday, “feels-like” temperatures are expected to reach the mid to upper 90s in most areas, especially Western New York, the Finger Lakes, and the North Country. Humidity will increase on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Wednesday, feels-like temperatures could approach 100 degrees in parts of Mid-Hudson, New York City, and Long Island regions. Rain and thunderstorms are forecast from Tuesday into Wednesday.
“With extreme temperatures present across our state, I’m closely monitoring our air and weather forecasts and working alongside partners in government to ensure New Yorkers are protected,” Governor Hochul said. “I urge New Yorkers to ‘Be Air Quality Aware’ and to please take proper precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.”
The advisory applies specifically to Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Ulster, Sullivan counties (Lower Hudson Valley), as well as New York City along with Rockland and Westchester counties (New York City Metro).
Health officials recommend that people with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases such as asthma—as well as young children, older adults, those who exercise outdoors or do vigorous outdoor work—should limit strenuous activity when ozone levels peak (usually afternoon through early evening). Moving indoors can reduce exposure when ozone levels outside are elevated. Anyone experiencing symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain should consult a physician.
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Department of Health issue these advisories when pollution levels—including ozone or fine particulate matter (PM2.5)—are predicted by DEC meteorologists to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI provides a scale where higher values indicate greater health concerns.
Residents are encouraged to check https://www.airnow.gov/ for current air quality information and visit https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/34985.html for DEC’s latest forecasts.
Ground-level ozone forms during summer heat from automobile exhausts or emissions from other sources reacting with sunlight; it is a major component of photochemical smog in northeastern cities. This surface pollutant is different from protective upper-atmosphere ozone.
Ozone is created when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react chemically under sunlight—primarily from vehicle exhausts or industrial emissions—and its presence can be enhanced by wildfire smoke. While colorless itself, high concentrations can cause hazy skies or reduced visibility.
Ozone levels typically decrease at night but may be reduced during daytime by limiting car travel or using public transportation.
Officials suggest energy-saving steps such as using mass transit instead of driving—since automobile emissions account for about 60 percent of urban pollution—combining trips by car if necessary; turning off unused lights; setting thermostats at 78 degrees if using air conditioning; closing blinds; running appliances after 7 p.m.; setting refrigerators efficiently; buying Energy Star products; reducing outdoor burning; minimizing indoor PM2.5 sources like smoking.
More details on ozone or PM2.5 can be found at https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8406.html , https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/air/pmq_a.htm , https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/outdoors/air/ozone.htm . An updated fact sheet about AQI is available at https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/air_pdf/aqifactsheet.pdf .
To receive future updates from DEC on air quality alerts via email sign up at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/NYSDEC/subscriber/new . For phone updates call DEC’s toll-free hotline: 1-800-535-1345.
Extreme heat remains a leading cause of weather-related deaths nationwide according to health officials—with illnesses including heat stroke/exhaustion/cramps/rash possible during periods like this one—and further advice is available at https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/weather/extremeheat/advice.asp .
Weather watches/warnings/advisories can be found at https://www.weather.gov/.
