Air quality alert extended into Hudson Valley
As temperatures rise into the 90s today, New York State officials have already extended an air quality alert to include most of the Hudson Valley region.
An air quality health advisory is in effect for Monday, May 18, 2026 from 11am to 11pm for the Hudson Valley – now including Dutchess, Putnam, Orange, Rockland, Ulster, and Westchester counties – as well as the New York City metro area. The extreme heat risk is expected to continue into the day on Tuesday, according to forecasters with the National Weather Service in Albany.
According to the DEC, ozone pollution can cause lead to eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing, chest pain, wheezing or shortness of breath, and may trigger asthma attacks.
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 pre existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease. Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician.”
Following a risk for thunderstorms on Tuesday, temperatures are expected to shift back to spring as a cold front comes through Wednesday night into Thursday, leaving behind highs in the upper 60s and a chance of showers. Meteorologist Ben Noll notes: “There could be more than a 50-degree difference between peak temperatures on Tuesday afternoon and low temperatures on Friday morning.”
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