THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 540 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN CONNECTICUT THIS WATCH INCLUDES 1 COUNTY

IN SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT

FAIRFIELD

IN NEW JERSEY THIS WATCH INCLUDES 5 COUNTIES

IN NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY

BERGEN ESSEX HUDSON PASSAIC UNION

IN NEW YORK THIS WATCH INCLUDES 10 COUNTIES

IN SOUTHEAST NEW YORK

BRONX KINGS (BROOKLYN) NASSAU NEW YORK (MANHATTAN) ORANGE PUTNAM QUEENS RICHMOND (STATEN ISLAND) ROCKLAND WESTCHESTER

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for the following counties:

New York, Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland

until 11 PM EDT this evening.

Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an Air Quality Index value of 100 for the pollutant of Ground Level 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 preexisting respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease. Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician.

For additional information, please visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website at, https://on.ny.gov/nyaqi, or call the Air Quality Hotline at 1 800 5 3 5, 1 3 4 5.

* WHAT...Heat index values up to 100.

* WHERE...All five boroughs of New York City.

* WHEN...Until 8 PM EDT Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Heat and high humidity may cause heat related illnesses.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The advisory may need to be extended as heat and humidity persist.