Long Island weather: Air quality improving but health risks persist

Hazy skies over Long Island could give way to thunderstorms Saturday, although smoky conditions from the Canadian wildfires will linger until then. 

Long Island is under separate advisories Saturday for poor air quality and the potential for severe thunderstorms that could bring heavy rain to the area.

A series of wildfires in Ontario and Quebec has blanketed regions throughout the Midwest and Northeast with smoke. 

Though air quality on Long Island improved Friday, with blue skies appearing for the first time in days, the air quality alert will extend for a fifth day Saturday, with the state Department of Environmental Conservation warning of unhealthy conditions and airborne fine particulate matter.

For at least part of Saturday, air quality will remain unhealthy for all groups, the department said. Residents, particularly young children, seniors and those with health conditions, should limit time outside and report any serious irritation, shortness of breath or chest pain to a doctor, said Suffolk County Department of Health Services Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott.

The air could improve later Saturday as rain and storms move into the region, National Weather Service meteorologist Kaitlyn Lardeo said. 

"It's expected to linger into Saturday, and the rain could definitely help, depending on where the showers are, and the winds may help to disperse it," Lardeo said of the poor air quality.

Showers on Saturday are expected after 11 a.m. and could last until about midnight, according to the weather service. 

Most of Long Island is expected to see up to 1 inch of rain, possibly more in heavy downpours Saturday afternoon through evening. The storms bring a slight chance of high winds and flash flooding. There is also a rip current warning in effect through Saturday evening. 

“We expect rain to bring some much-needed relief to New Yorkers experiencing poor air quality over the weekend, but with it we may see the possibility of severe storms,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement Friday evening. “I remind everyone to take this weather seriously: Take precautions, know what to do if a storm reaches your areas and remember to stay air quality aware to protect your health.”

Storms could be worse in New Jersey, Westchester and New York City. The city is under a flood watch from 10 a.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday with winds of up to 70 mph, which could down trees and power lines. There is a slight risk for damaging winds on Long Island, according to the weather service. 

On Sunday, the weather will improve markedly, with near pristine conditions and highs in the low 80s expected. Skies will start partly to mostly cloudy but gradually become sunny due to northwest winds — all possibly in time for the 3 p.m. start of the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

"We’re looking for some improvement on the air quality on Sunday," National Weather Service meteorologist Jay Engle said.

Sunny weather with highs in the mid-80s should continue into Monday and Tuesday, Engle said.

Newsday's Matthew Chayes contributed to this story.