Air quality alert today in Orleans County, followed by heat advisory on Wednesday

Photo by Tom Rivers: A cyclist rides on the towpath in Hulberton on Monday morning, headed east with 600 others in the annual Cycle the Erie Canal adventure covering about 400 miles over eight days.

An air quality health advisory has been issued for Orleans County until 11 p.m. today.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation said air quality levels in outdoor air are expected to be greater than an Air Quality Index value of 101 for Ground Level Ozone. When pollution levels are elevated, the NYS 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.

Today’s air quality alert will be followed by a heat advisory on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Heat index values in the mid to upper 90s expected. The high temperature is forecast to reach 90 degrees.

“Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat-related illnesses to occur,” the National Weather Service said.

The high temperatures for Orleans County in the forecast include 88 today, followed by 90 on Wednesday, 89 on Thursday, 78 on Friday and 84 on Saturday.