When there were mountains of snow in February, Long Islanders wished for the warmth of July. We should have been careful what we wished for.
The heat wave that is sweeping over the area this week has already produced a heat advisory and an air quality alert.
advertisement
According to the National Weather Service, a warm ridge aloft and surface high pressure over the Mid Atlantic states will keep hot and increasingly humid conditions across the area until mid week.
The current heat advisory, which affects Nassau County and Northwestern and Southwestern Suffolk County, remains in effect from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. This means that the high humidity, combined with the hot temperatures, will make it feel like it is 100 to 104 degrees out for at least two consecutive hours.
Officials advise that individuals stay out of the sun and in an air-conditioned room, increase non-alcoholic fluid intake, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
An air quality alert is also in effect for all of Nassau and Suffolk from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation warns that air quality levels are predicted to be greater than an air quality index value of 100 for the pollutant of ground level ozone. They say that the greater the air quality index, the greater the health concern.
The New York State Department of Health is recommending that everyone limit the amount of outdoor physical activity, especially those who may be especially sensitive to the effects of air quality. These include very young children, the elderly and people with pre-existing respiratory problems like asthma or heart disease. A toll free air quality line has been established so New York residents can stay informed on the air quality situation. The number is 1-800-535-1345.
Long Island Power Authority officials are monitoring transmission lines and power generating plants to ensure continued and uninterrupted operations.
In response to the extreme weather conditions, Nassau County officials extended the closing times of the county’s four major swimming pools by one hour on Tuesday. The pools at Cantiague and Christopher Morley parks will be open until 7 p.m., Wantagh Park will be open unil 7:45 p.m., and North Woodmere will be open until 8 p.m.
Cooling centers are open at the North Massapequa Community Center, 214 N. Albany Ave., North Massapequa and Sandell Senior Center, 50 South Park Ave., Rockville Centre. The centers will be open from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. For more information, contact the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management at 516-573-0636.
Suffolk has set up a cooling station at a senior citizen center at 16 2nd Ave. in Brentwood, which will be operational from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Water, juices and snacks are offered to anyone who would like to come into this air-conditioned center.
The Town of Brookhaven is extending park hours till 7:45 p.m. at the Centereach and Holtsville pools as well as Corey Beach, Davis Park and West Meadow.
Oyster Bay community centers in Glen Head, Hicksville and North Massapequa are open till 9 p.m. as cooling centers.
On the East End, the Hampton Bays Senior Center on Ponquogue Avenue will act as a cooling center until 9 p.m. For anyone who may not have transportation, contact the staff at 631-728-1235 for shuttle service. The Town of Riverhead opened a cooling center at the senior center in Aquebogue at 60 Shade Tree Lane through 4:30 p.m.
Symptoms of heat-related illnesses may include: headache, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and low pulse rate. Other symptoms may include cold pale and clammy skin or hot, flushed dry skin. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact medical help immediately.
For more tips on how to beat the heat, please visit the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency website at: www.getenergysmart.org/Resources/Tips.aspx
