Today, most of the Catskills region is under an official "excessive heat watch," according to the National Weather Service offices in Albany and Binghamton.
Temperatures are going to be in the high 90s for the next 24 hours, and for urban-dwellers and anyone living in a valley in Delaware, Ulster, and Sullivan counties, things could get closer to 100 degrees, according to NY-Alert:
...Excessive Heat Watch Remains In Effect From Thursday Morning Through Thursday Evening... * Locations...All Of Central New York And Northeast Pennsylvania...Especially Urban Centers And Valley Locations... Where The Hottest Temperatures Are Most Likely. * Hazards...The Combination Of Excessive Heat And High Humidity. * Temperatures...In The 90S...With Readings Approaching 100 Possible In The Metro Valley Areas...Like Elmira/Corning... Syracuse...Utica...Binghamton...And Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. * Heat Index Values...Between 100 And 110. An Excessive Heat Watch Means That A Prolonged Period Of Hot Temperatures Is Expected. The Combination Of Hot Temperatures And High Humidity Will Combine To Create A Dangerous Situation In Which Heat Illnesses Are Possible. Drink Plenty Of Fluids...Stay In An Air-Conditioned Room...Stay Out Of The Sun...And Check Up On Relatives And Neighbors.
Things are so hot that the New York State Department Of Environmental Conservation has issued an air quality health advisory for Ulster and Dutchess counties. According to another NY-Alert, the air quality index for ozone will be over 100% today in those regions:
...Air Quality Alert In Effect Until 11 PM EDT This Evening... The New York State Department Of Environmental Conservation Has Issued An Air Quality Health Advisory For The Following Counties... Dutchess...Ulster. Air Quality Levels In Outdoor Air Are Predicted To Be Greater Than An Air Quality Index Value Of 100 For The Pollutant Of Ozone. The Air Quality Index...Or Aqi...Was Created As An Easy Way To Correlate Levels Of Different Pollutants To One Scale. The Higher The Aqi Value, The Greater The Health Concern. When Pollution Levels Are Elevated...The New York State Department Of Health Recommends That Individuals Consider Limiting Strenuous Outdoor Physical Activity To Reduce The Risk Of Adverse Health Effects. People Who May Be Especially Sensitive To The Effects Of Elevated Levels Of Pollutants Include The Very Young, And Those With Pre-Existing Respiratory Problems Such As Asthma Or Heart Disease. Those With Symptoms Should Consider Consulting Their Personal Physician. A Toll Free Air Quality Hotline Has Been Established So New York Residents Can Stay Informed On The Air Quality Situation. The Toll Free Number Is: 1 800 5 3 5, 1 3 4 5.
So stay inside and don't do any strenuous physical activities today.
