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Air Quality

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Congestion Pricing Plan Set To Start In NYC: Here's When, Where, What It Costs Congestion Pricing Plan Set To Start In NYC: Here's When, Where, What It Costs
Congestion Pricing Plan Set To Start In NYC: Here's When, Where, What It Costs Driving into New York City and heading south of midtown Manhattan? You'll be paying for it. New York City’s congestion pricing plan, set to begin on Friday, Jan. 5, aims to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and fund crucial public transit upgrades.  Vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street will incur a toll, with rates starting at $9 per day. The Federal Highway Administration approved the program last month. However, lawsuits could potentially stop the planned rollout. The toll is aimed at reducing gridlock and enhancing traffic flow in the Central Business Distr…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
18-Year-Old State Parks Worker Killed Battling Hudson Valley Wildfire 18-Year-Old State Parks Worker Killed Battling Hudson Valley Wildfire
18-Year-Old State Parks Worker Killed Battling Hudson Valley Wildfire A teenage New York State Parks and Recreation worker died battling one of the latest in a rash of wildfires in the region. Click here for a new, updated story - 18-Year-Old Killed In Wildfire At Sterling Forest Remembered As HS Baseball Standout The blaze broke out in Orange County at Sterling Forest State Park in Tuxedo on Saturday, Nov. 9, and spread into parts of neighboring New Jersey. He's been identified as 18-year-old Dariel Vasquez, police said. Vasquez suffered fatal injuries after a tree fell, according to the New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Pr…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Severe Heat, High Humidity Will Pose Significant Health Risk To NYers, Hochul Warns Severe Heat, High Humidity Will Pose Significant Health Risk To NYers, Hochul Warns
Severe Heat, High Humidity Will Pose Significant Health Risk To NYers, Hochul Warns Gov. Kathy Hochul is warnig New Yorkers that severe heat and high humidity will pose a significant health risk from Monday, July 15, through Wednesday, July 17. Temperatures during that stretch are likely to bring dangerous heat indexes between 95 and 104 degrees across the entire state.  New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, Mohawk Valley, and Southern Tier, also have a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms in the afternoon into the evening on Monday. Air quality health advisories for ozone are also in effect for New York City and Long Island on Monday from 11 a.m. to 11 p…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
New Advisory Issued To NYers For Extreme Heat, Severe Storms, Unhealthy Air: Hochul New Advisory Issued To NYers For Extreme Heat, Severe Storms, Unhealthy Air: Hochul
New Advisory Issued To NYers For Extreme Heat, Severe Storms, Unhealthy Air: Hochul New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is urging residents to stay safe and hydrated as hot, humid air rolls into much of the state ahead of severe storms predicted to bring heavy rains and flash flooding.  In an announcement on Monday, July 8, Hochul warned that above-average temperatures and high humidity would arrive in the state in the next few days. This includes "feels like temperatures" at or above 95 degrees, which can cause an increased risk of heat illnesses, Hochul's office said.  Related Report - Rounds Of Thunderstorms Expected Over Span Of Days: Here's Timing In res…

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by Ben Crnic
Weather
Smoky Skies: Air Quality 'Unhealthy' Across Region; Here's Day-By-Day Forecast Through July 4th Smoky Skies: Air Quality 'Unhealthy' Across Region; Here's Day-By-Day Forecast Through July 4th
Smoky Skies: Air Quality 'Unhealthy' Across Region; Here's Day-By-Day Forecast Through July 4th The July 4th weekend has arrived, but chances are the smell of smoke outside isn't coming from barbeques. That's because smoke from Canadian wildfires continues its eastward movement, with poor air quality now affecting nearly the entire region and most of the Northeast. In the first image above, areas in orange are projected to have unhealthy air, and areas in yellow have moderate air on Saturday, July 1. Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an Air Quality Index value of 100 for the pollutant of Fine Particulates. To check air quality in your zip c…

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by Joe Lombardi
Weather
Thunderstorms Sweeping Through Region From West To East: Here's Latest Thunderstorms Sweeping Through Region From West To East: Here's Latest
Thunderstorms Sweeping Through Region From West To East: Here's Latest A new round of thunderstorms is sweeping through the region from west to east. Storms developed in the mid-afternoon on Wednesday, June 28, with activity scattered across the region. (See radar image above.)  The storms, some of which are severe, are accompanied by heavy, brief downpours, rumbles of thunder, and lightning strikes. Storms could pop up at times through the afternoon and into the early evening Wednesday before an unsettled weather pattern finally comes to a close, according to the National Weather Service. Drier and warmer weather is expected Thursday, June 29, and Frid…

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by Joe Lombardi
Weather
Air Quality To Worsen In Coming Days: Here's How To Check Conditions In Your Area Air Quality To Worsen In Coming Days: Here's How To Check Conditions In Your Area
Air Quality To Worsen In Coming Days: Here's How To Check Conditions In Your Area Hazy skies and poor air quality due to wildfire smoke are heading toward the region from west to east. Areas of western and central New York are expected to experience unhealthy air quality on Wednesday, June 28 with moderate air quality in eastern New York and parts of New England. Areas in red in the image above from AirNow.gov are projected to have very unhealthy air quality, with orange indicating unhealthy air, and yellow moderate. Wednesday will be mostly cloudy with a high temperature in the upper 70s. There will be a new chance for showers and thunderstorms from around midday until…

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by Joe Lombardi
Weather
Storm Watch: System With Gusty Winds Could Include Hail As Poor Air Quality Improves Storm Watch: System With Gusty Winds Could Include Hail As Poor Air Quality Improves
Storm Watch: System With Gusty Winds Could Include Hail As Poor Air Quality Improves An upper-level low-pressure system will bring isolated to scattered thunderstorms across the region, some of which could be severe. A few storms may bring heavy rain, gusty winds, and small hail a half-inch or less in diameter, according to the National Weather Service. The time frame for storm activity is from around midday until late in the evening on Friday, June 9. Poor air quality conditions that have lingered for much of the week due to smoke from Canadian wildfires will steadily improve during the afternoon on Friday, which will see a high temperature of around 70 degrees. Saturday…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Canadian Wildfires: Poor Air Quality Forces City To Close Schools In Westchester Canadian Wildfires: Poor Air Quality Forces City To Close Schools In Westchester
Canadian Wildfires: Poor Air Quality Forces City To Close Schools In Westchester A blanket of unhealthy air covering much of New York as a result of Canadian wildfires has caused a city in Westchester to close its schools.  Yonkers Public Schools announced that it would be closing all schools on Thursday, June 8 as a result of the poor air quality and the unhealthy conditions in the city.  Related Story - Canadian Wildfires Still Producing Unhealthy Air: Here's How To Check Conditions In Your Area The announcement comes after the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued an air quality health advisory for the New York City metro area and lower Hud…

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by Ben Crnic
Weather
Unhealthy Air: Here's How To Check Conditions In Your Area Caused By Canadian Wildfires' Smoke Unhealthy Air: Here's How To Check Conditions In Your Area Caused By Canadian Wildfires' Smoke
Unhealthy Air: Here's How To Check Conditions In Your Area Caused By Canadian Wildfires' Smoke Widespread smoke from Canadian wildfires continue to bring hazardous air quality levels across the region. Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an Air Quality Index value of 100 for the pollutant of fine particulates again on Thursday, June 8, according to the National Weather Service.   "The higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern," said the weather service. The check air quality conditions in your area, visit AirNow.gov by clicking here. More than 8 million acres of land has already burned in what already is Canada…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Smoky Skies: Hochul Warns NY School Districts To Suspend Outdoor Activities Smoky Skies: Hochul Warns NY School Districts To Suspend Outdoor Activities
Smoky Skies: Hochul Warns NY School Districts To Suspend Outdoor Activities As raging Canadian wildfires send plumes of smoke over much of New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul is urging school districts to pause outdoor activities to protect the health of students' lungs.  In a statement on Wednesday, June 7, Hochul said much of the state would be in an air quality index of "unhealthy to very unhealthy" for most of the day as a result of smoke from Canadian wildfires that has drifted into the Northeast.  According to Hochul, schools in New York City, Syracuse, and Rochester have already suspended outdoor school activities as a result of the smoke.  "I suppor…

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by Ben Crnic
News
$3 Million Study To Look At Safety Improvements On Route 9A In Northern Westchester $3 Million Study To Look At Safety Improvements On Route 9A In Northern Westchester
$3 Million Study To Look At Safety Improvements On Route 9A In Northern Westchester Work on a $3 million engineering study focused on improving the safety and infrastructure of a major main route in Northern Westchester has begun, state officials said. The study is planned to identify short-term and longer-term investment opportunities to create improved safety and operations on Route 9A between the Saw Mill River Parkway in Mount Pleasant and its connection to Route 9 in Ossining, New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez announced on Thursday, May 11.  The project is expected to be completed in ten months and will use…

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by Ben Crnic
News
'Unusual Odor' In Hudson Valley Sparks Fears Of Contamination From Chemical Train Derailment 'Unusual Odor' In Hudson Valley Sparks Fears Of Contamination From Chemical Train Derailment
'Unusual Odor' In Hudson Valley Sparks Fears Of Contamination From Chemical Train Derailment This story has been updated. Environmental officials in New York are investigating multiple reports of strange odors in the air, sparking concerns they may be tied to the chemical train derailment in eastern Ohio, about 40 miles north of Pittsburgh, and its subsequent fire. In a statement to Daily Voice on Friday, Feb. 17, the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) said it is responding to reports in the Hudson Valley of an “unusual odor in the air.” “DEC has not received any reports from regulated emissions sources about releases that could contribute to the odors describe…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
These Areas In NY Under Severe Drought Conditions These Areas In NY Under Severe Drought Conditions
These Areas In NY Under Severe Drought Conditions Long Island and parts of the Hudson Valley are currently experiencing severe drought conditions, according to the US Drought Monitor. The map of drought conditions across the country, which is released every Thursday, classified a number of New York counties as experiencing severe drought conditions as of Thursday, Sept. 1. The website reported that drought persisted or expanded across much of the Northeast since the previous update, with increases in severe drought conditions in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. According to the update, the following areas are experiencing sever…

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by Nicole Valinote
Weather
Hazy Skies Caused By Wildfires Clear Up in Northeast Hazy Skies Caused By Wildfires Clear Up in Northeast
Hazy Skies Caused By Wildfires Clear Up in Northeast After smoke from wildfires caused days of hazy skies and poor air quality in the Northeast, a cold front has brought some relief.  AccuWeather meteorologists reported that smoke from wildfires in Canada and the Pacific Northwest traveled 1,000 miles in the past week, causing air quality advisories in the region, including New York City and Philadelphia.  "Due to the fact that smoke particles are small and light, they can be transported hundreds if not a few thousand miles away from their source," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex DaSilva said. A cold front that traveled southward fr…

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by Nicole Valinote
Weather
Strong Storms With Damaging Winds, Lightning Could Cause Power Outages In Region Strong Storms With Damaging Winds, Lightning Could Cause Power Outages In Region
Strong Storms With Damaging Winds, Lightning Could Cause Power Outages In Region A slow-moving cold front will be accompanied by a round of strong to severe thunderstorms that could cause scattered power outages in the region, while also bringing about an end to the heatwave. The time frame for storm activity on Wednesday, June 30 is from the afternoon into the evening.  Storms will be accompanied by damaging wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour, frequent lightning, locally heavy downpours, and flash flooding. Isolated tornadoes are possible. The storms could cause tree limbs to snap and topple trees onto power lines, causing outages. It will be hazy, hot, and h…

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by Joe Lombardi
Weather
Real 'Unofficial Start Of Summer': Here's How Much Warmer It Is Than Over Memorial Day Weekend Real 'Unofficial Start Of Summer': Here's How Much Warmer It Is Than Over Memorial Day Weekend
Real 'Unofficial Start Of Summer': Here's How Much Warmer It Is Than Over Memorial Day Weekend Memorial Day weekend is known as the unofficial start of summer. But that couldn't have been further from the case this year with high temperatures averaging about 20 degrees below normal last weekend. Now, on the first weekend of June, parts of the region, especially farther inland, are on the brink of the first heatwave of 2021. (See the first image above.) A heatwave is defined as three or more straight days with a high temperature of 90 degrees or more. Some spots could see record warmth for this time of year on Sunday, June 6, which will be sunny, with a high temperature in the upper …

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
These Hudson Valley Counties Rank Among Best In State For Outdoor Activity These Hudson Valley Counties Rank Among Best In State For Outdoor Activity
These Hudson Valley Counties Rank Among Best In State For Outdoor Activity From the sands of Long Island beaches to the scenic parks of the Hudson Valley, New York is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the country. A new report from NewYorkUpstate.com, citing information from niche.com's 2019 rankings highlighted the best counties in the Empire State for outdoor activities. Using a weighted scale using data from the U.S. Census, NOAA and other sources, Niche took factors into account such as air quality, local weather, and access to natural amenities and outdoor recreation. The complete methodology can be found here. In the Hudson Valley, these counti…

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by Zak Failla
Weather
Hot Stuff: Poor Air Quality Sunday, Real-Feel Temp Around 100 Monday Hot Stuff: Poor Air Quality Sunday, Real-Feel Temp Around 100 Monday
Hot Stuff: Poor Air Quality Sunday, Real-Feel Temp Around 100 Monday One Early Dismissal Announced As Schools Prepare For Monday's Extreme Heat The week has started with the hottest weather of the year. The heat index -- a combination of the actual temperature and humidity -- will be in the mid-90s on Father's Day and around the 100-degree mark on Monday when record-breaking temps are possible. School districts in the area are planning ahead, and one has already announced an early dismissal for Monday. For more on that, click here. Air Quality Alerts are in effect Sunday around the region. Consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the…

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by Daily Voice