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Wednesday is expected to be the warmest day of the week with sunny skies, light winds and temperatures around 90.
Also, the state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection is forecasting unhealthy air quality for Fairfield County on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The air quality alert is due to predicted elevated ground-level ozone pollution as the heat wave intensifies.
A forecast of “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” indicates increased likelihood of respiratory symptoms and breathing discomfort in active children and adults with respiratory disease, such as asthma and the elderly.
“Forecasters are predicting the hottest weather of the summer yet, so everyone should take simple precautions when high temperatures combined with poor air quality is expected,” said DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee. “If you are outside at work or at play, be sure to drink plenty of water and get to an air conditioned room if you need to cool down and catch your breath.”
Unhealthy concentrations of ground level ozone can cause or make worse a variety of respiratory problems, including breathing difficulty, coughing, and throat irritation and worsen asthma episodes. Anyone can be affected by ozone, even healthy adults who are very active outdoors.
Ground level or "bad" ozone primarily occurs during very warm summer days. Strong sunshine causes chemical reactions of air pollutants emitted from motor vehicles, power plants and industry and household activities, forming ozone.
Light southwesterly winds will transport very warm humid air as well as elevated levels of ozone from upwind air pollution sources into Connecticut as the state bakes under ample sunshine on Tuesday and Wednesday.
An approaching cool front will reach the state late Thursday, bringing some clouds and reducing high concentrations of ground level ozone Thursday.
Thursday will be slightly cooler with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Expect highs to be around 85 degrees.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday will all be very similar with abundant sun and temperatures in the high 80s.
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