Storms exit after flash flooding; air quality improves | Live updates

A Tornado Watch has been posted for parts of the area until 9 p.m. ET. Widespread damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, and a few tornadoes are possible within the watch area in the coming hours.

Severe Thunderstorm Watches have been posted for a large area, stretching from eastern Illinois to upstate NY down into the mid-Atlantic. Strong, potentially damaging wind gusts are the primary concern for these locations.

The flash flood threat continues across several states as well with Flood Watches from DC to Philly to NYC.

Rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms will continue to sweep across these regions through the afternoon and evening hours.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires has once again blanketed New York City and the Tri-State, creating unhealthy air quality across much of the region Saturday morning as an AccuWeather Alert remains in effect.

Air quality reached an AQI of 173 early Saturday, a level considered unhealthy for everyone - not just people with asthma or other respiratory conditions. Thick smoke and haze reduced visibility across the area, with conditions expected to worsen through the morning before gradually improving later in the day.

Shifting winds will continue to push smoke across the region through midday, with air quality deteriorating in parts of Long Island and northern suburbs before the smoke begins to thin out. Residents are encouraged to limit prolonged time outdoors, avoid strenuous activities like running or exercising outside, and keep windows closed if possible.

The improvement in air quality, however, comes with a tradeoff.

Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop later Saturday afternoon and continue through the evening as a cold front moves through the region. Storms could bring flooding downpours, damaging wind gusts and a few isolated tornadoes, prompting forecasters to urge residents to stay weather-aware. New Jersey, New York City and southern Westchester are under a flood watch ahead of the storms.

The first scattered showers are expected to develop during the afternoon, with the greatest risk for severe weather between about 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. The threat could linger until around midnight before the front clears the area.

A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for parts of New York City and New Jersey through 2 p.m. as strong thunderstorms move across the region.

The storms come after a smoky start to the day caused by Canadian wildfire smoke that once again pushed air quality into the unhealthy range. While the rain is expected to help clear the smoke, it also brings the threat of heavy downpours capable of causing flash flooding.

Residents in the warned areas should avoid driving through flooded roadways and be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions. Additional strong to severe storms remain possible through the afternoon and evening.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health issued an updated Air Quality Health Advisory for fine particulate matter for Saturday.

The updated advisory is as follows:

The pollutant of concern is: Fine Particulate Matter

The advisory will be in effect: 12 a.m. until 11:59 p.m.

Gov. Kathy Hochul urged New Yorkers to remain vigilant even as air quality improved on Friday, stressing that conditions are expected to deteriorate again.

"While air quality has improved in portions of the State throughout Friday afternoon, lingering effects of smoke from Canadian wildfires continue to impact air quality into Saturday," Hochul said."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, flooding and tornados. 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. Stay informed by checking trusted sources for air quality and weather forecasts, and don't forget to check on friends and family members who might need assistance."