NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- An Air Quality Alert is in effect for most of the New York City area on Thursday, when highs are set to soar near 90 degrees.
The alert will be in effect until midnight for all of NYC, Long Island, Westchester, the Hudson Valley and much of North Jersey.
The Canadian wildfires and the impacts of high temperatures on ground-level ozone are contributing to the poor air quality, forecasters said.
Ground-level pollutants are expected to be elevated with the heat, potentially pushing the air quality index (AQI) level in NYC to 100 or more.
People under the alert should avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially children, seniors and those with preexisting heart or lung problems.
According to AccuWeather, Thursday will be hot and hazy with a high of 89 degrees in Central Park. A late-day thunderstorm can’t be ruled out, especially to the north and west of the city.
The extreme heat won’t stick around. Friday’s high is set to be 80 degrees, while Saturday and Sunday's highs will be around 70.
Father’s Day weekend will otherwise be cloudy, with the threat of spotty storms on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
