Long Island weather: Heat advisory today as real-feel index soars beyond 100 degrees

It's not officially a heat wave. But it sure does feel like one.

Parts of Long Island reached 88 degrees Tuesday — practically cool compared to the 98 degrees reached at LaGuardia Airport and 102 degrees at Newark Airport, both records, said Dominic Ramunni, a meteorologist with the weather service in Upton.

"But if you factor in the humidity it felt closer to 100 at times on parts of the Island," Ramunni said.

Temperatures Wednesday could be a touch higher, Ramunni said, although no temperature records are expected to be broken on the Island.

But at 8 p.m. the heat advisory that started Monday, and affects all but southeastern Suffolk, will end and relief may be in the offing in the form of thunderstorms or showers later Wednesday night.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation issued an air quality health advisory for Wednesday for Long Island and the metropolitan region due to high ozone levels that peak in the afternoon.

Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott said in a release that residents, especially young children, seniors, and those who exercise or work outdoors, or have preexisting health conditions, should limit outdoor activity Wednesday.

Wednesday brings a 40% chance of showers after 9 p.m., and Thursday afternoon brings an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a peak temperature in the mid-80s and the start of a cooling trend down to a high near 78 degrees on a rainy Friday.

Weekend temperatures should be in the mid-70s. There is a 30% chance of showers both days, including during the day and evening of Sunday, Independence Day.

Heat waves officially mean temperatures of 90 degrees or above are reached for at least three days.

By Robert Brodsky

robert.brodsky@newsday.com@BrodskyRobert

Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.