Air Quality Alert Issued For Toms River Today; How Hot Will It Feel?

Hot, humid air moving into New Jersey and Ocean County has state officials urging those with breathing problems or the elderly to stay inside, as an air quality alert has been issued.

The state Department of Environmental Protection says a code orange air quality alert is in effect Tuesday, meaning air pollution concentrations may become unhealthy for sensitive groups, including people with asthma or other lung diseases, heart disease, children or the elderly.

Those who have lung problems can minimize the effects of the air pollution by avoiding strenuous activities or exercising outdoors, the alert says.

The higher humidity is expected to remain in place through at least Thursday, according to the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly office, with clear skies and relatively light breezes.

Tuesday the high temperature will be near 90 degrees, with the heat index rising into the mid-90s by about 1 p.m.. There is a chance of thunderstorms after 1 p.m. so be prepared, but the chance of rain is only 20 percent, according to the weather service. Temperatures will fall to about 70 degrees overnight.

On Wednesday, temperatures are expected to climb back above 90 degrees, with the possibility of a heat index of 100 degrees by mid-afternoon, so expect an air quality alert then as well. Temperatures are expected to remain above 80 degrees well into the nighttime hours Wednesday.

Thursday is predicted to remain hot and humid, and while thunderstorms and significant rain are predicted after 5 p.m. Thursday into Friday, the weather service is suggesting they won’t provide much relief from the humidity.