It'll be hot this weekend, but not quite a heat wave

Can't yet call it a heat wave, but it will be hot and humid this weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Upton.

The hot weather has caused the weather service to issue an air quality alert for Long Island Friday. Swells in the ocean are also causing moderate rip currents at the local beaches.

Temperatures will be hot and humid in the upper 80s. Saturday and Sunday will be hotter and still humid, with temperatures in the lower 90s.

If temperatures hit the 90s for three days in a row, then it is officially a heat wave, said Brian Ciemnecki, meteorologist at the weather service.

As is usual, the East End will see slightly lower temperatures.

There is a chance of thunderstorms rolling in, especially Friday afternoon through the evening, bringing the possibility of small pockets of showers, although there will be no significant rain for Long Island, Ciemnecki said.

If temperatures stay in the 90s through Monday, as expected, then it will be considered a heat wave.

During air quality alerts, which measures the amount of ozone in the air on hot days, residents are asked to limit car use and conserve electricity. Poor air quality on a hot day can limit lung capacity and cause respiratory problems, especially for those who are fragile, the very young and the very old.

A heat wave has been identified in the New York City area, where temperatures are forecast to be above 95 degrees for two days, the minimum requirement for a heat wave in the city area. An air quality advisory has also been issued until Saturday at 1 a.m. The city will open its "cooling centers." Visit nyc.gov/oem or call 311 for locations and further details on these advisories.