Poughkeepsie, N.Y. – Residents across the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and parts of the Catskills should prepare for poor air quality Monday as a Ground-Level Ozone Health Advisory takes effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation says outdoor air is expected to reach an Air Quality Index over 100, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
According to the Department of Health, those with asthma, heart disease, the very young, and older adults should limit strenuous outdoor activities during the advisory period. Ground-level ozone forms when heat and sunlight react with vehicle and industrial emissions, and is often highest during the afternoon and early evening.
The alert covers Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, and Ulster counties, including cities such as Kingston, New Paltz, Poughkeepsie, Beacon, and Monticello. Officials recommend staying indoors during peak ozone hours, keeping windows closed, and using air conditioning if possible. Those experiencing shortness of breath or chest discomfort should seek medical advice promptly.
Conditions are expected to improve overnight, but more advisories are possible if high temperatures and stagnant air persist this week.
