NEW YORK (WABC) -- It will be a one-two punch of bad weather on Saturday: Smoky skies followed by severe storms that have already prompted a Flash Flood Warning as downpours drench parts of the region.
After a welcome reprieve on Friday, smoke from Canadian wildfires returned to New York City and the Tri-State area on Saturday, once again creating unhealthy air quality.
Those smoky conditions are expected to gradually improve through the day as winds shift, but a new problem has emerged: Strong to severe thunderstorms, which, while helping to clear the smoke, will bring a round of hazardous weather to much of the region. The first powerful storm swept through parts of northern New Jersey and New York City, with a Flash Flood Warning in effect through 2 pm.
The storms could produce flooding downpours, damaging wind gusts and even a few isolated tornadoes, making for a stormy finish to the day.
Fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke can cause shortness of breath, coughing, dizziness, or fatigue, and can aggravate heart and lung diseases and other chronic health issues.
Experts suggest reducing or eliminating outdoor activities, wearing an N95 mask if you have to be outside and keeping your indoor air cleaner by closing windows and running an air purifier or air conditioner.
Check back for live updates.
Masks are available at all NYPD precincts, select FDNY firehouses, all Brooklyn and Queens public library locations, select NYPL branches and transit hubs.
Click here for the city's mask distribution map.
The City of Newark is distributing free masks as the Air Quality Index is expected to reach 200 on Thursday.
Due to the poor air quality, all City of Newark outdoor pools will be closed until air quality conditions improve.
Masks are available at the following locations while supplies last at the following locations:
The unhealthy air conditions are forcing summer youth camps across New Jersey to alter their schedules.
Some camps have scrapped outdoor activities altogether and others are sending kids home early.
Anthony Johnson is in Woodland Park with more:
New York City officials are warning residents to limit their time outdoors and they are also handing out free KN95 masks at locations across the city.
Lindsay Tuchman has more:
