Air quality alert issued for Long Island; temperatures to reach upper 80s

Long Island will see temperatures rise to the upper 80s Thursday, the second day of an air quality health advisory for the New York City area.

State officials issued the advisory for Long Island, New York City and the lower Hudson Valley due to increased levels of ozone, effective from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation urged people to "limit strenuous outdoor activity Thursday afternoon and early evening when ozone levels are the highest," according to a news release.

Long Island will see sunny skies with a high near 87 Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Winds will be out of the south between 6 and 10 mph.

Thursday night will be clear with a low in the upper 60s; Friday holds a 30% chance of showers after 2 p.m., with partly sunny skies and a high near 82, the weather service reported on its website.

Ozone is "produced when sunlight chemically reacts with chemicals from automobile exhaust and industrial emissions," according to the DEC. While ozone itself is not visible, it can lead to hazy skies and a reduction in visibility in high concentrations.

Pollution from ozone is expected to exceed an Air Quality Index of over 100 on Long Island.

At that level, people, especially those with lung diseases, young children, the elderly and those who work or exercise outdoors "should limit strenuous outdoor activity in the afternoon and early evening when ozone levels are the highest, according to the DEC. "Individuals with asthma and those who experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing should spend more time indoors and discuss symptoms with their health care provider."

Check back for updates on this developing story.