Westchester County Health Department Shares Heat and Air Quality Advisories; Advises Vulnerable Residents to Limit Their Time Outdoors and Avoid Strenuous Outdoor Activity
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — Residents are being urged to take precautions as extreme heat, high humidity and unhealthy air quality are expected across Westchester County.
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory from noon Thursday, August 6th through 8 p.m. Friday, August 7th. During that period, the combination of heat and humidity could make outdoor temperatures feel close to 100 degrees.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has also issued an Air Quality Health Advisory through 11 p.m. Thursday for the Lower Hudson Valley and New York City metropolitan area.
Air quality is expected to reach levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, with the Air Quality Index predicted to exceed 100.
Those at greater risk include children, teenagers, adults age 65 and older, pregnant people, individuals with asthma, respiratory illnesses or heart disease, people who work or exercise outdoors and residents of disadvantaged communities.
“When it is this hot and humid, drink lots of water, take frequent breaks from outdoor work or exercise and don’t overdo it,” Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said. “Take time to cool off and spend time in air-conditioned places.”
Amler advised infants, pregnant women, older adults and people with asthma, heart disease or other respiratory conditions to limit their time outdoors until the temperature drops and air quality improves.
Residents should also watch for symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath or other breathing difficulties.
When the AQI rises above 100, people in sensitive groups are advised to shorten the amount of time they spend outdoors, take frequent breaks, monitor themselves for symptoms and follow the guidance of their healthcare providers.
Exposure to poor air quality can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, along with coughing, sneezing, a runny nose and shortness of breath. Elevated levels of fine particulate matter can also worsen conditions such as asthma and heart disease.
Residents without access to air conditioning are encouraged to visit a local cooling center if their homes become dangerously warm. Cooling-center locations are available through the New York State Department of Health.
- Stay in air-conditioned buildings whenever possible.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sugary beverages.
- Limit outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day (Noon–8:00 PM).
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Never leave children, older adults, or pets unattended in vehicles.
- Check on elderly neighbors, family members, and those without air conditioning.
Find the nearest City of Mount Vernon Cooling Center and Sprinklers:
https://gis.cmvny.com/portal/apps/instant/nearby/index.html?appid=d9c2e6e1219a42129e9f9a6603c2b8fc&sliderDistance=0.5
You can also check with your local municipality to find out if they are opening temporary cooling centers on hot days. Here you can find links to city, town, and village webpages.
Stay informed by monitoring official weather updates at weather.gov/okx. In an emergency, call 9-1-1.
