AccuWeather Alert: Hazy, breezy and steamy

AccuWeather forecast for NYC, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut

ByEyewitness News WABC logo

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A dangerous stretch of heat will continue through Wednesday, with the peak of the heat wave expected during the day.

Heat advisories remain in effect for New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley and Connecticut, where heat index values could reach 104 degrees. Factoring in the humidity, that's what it will feel like outside.

Conditions will be even more extreme across central and southern New Jersey, where an Extreme Heat Warning is in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday. In those areas, the heat index could climb as high as 107 degrees.

Anyone heading to the shore should use caution. A high risk of rip currents is in place for all New York City and Long Island beaches through Wednesday, creating dangerous swimming conditions.

Air quality is also a concern. An Air Quality Alert remains in effect through 11 p.m. tonight and could be reissued on Wednesday. Forecasters are monitoring smoke from Canadian wildfires, which is already present high in the atmosphere. If that smoke settles closer to the surface, it could further affect air quality across the region. Hazy skies are expected.

Wednesday night will be mostly cloudy with a chance of an early thundershower. Temperatures will drop to around 75 degrees. An AccuWeather Alert remains in effect for Wednesday as the heat and humidity combine to create conditions that could feel intolerable at times.

Relief arrives Thursday as humidity levels decrease. Although temperatures will still reach around 92 degrees, it will be a much drier heat. Friday stays warm with lower humidity and a high near 89 degrees.

Humidity is expected to return over the weekend, bringing an increased chance of thunderstorms. The primary threat appears to be during the afternoon on Saturday, with some storms potentially lingering into Sunday. Forecasters will be watching conditions closely for the FIFA World Cup final in East Rutherford.

Looking ahead, Monday is expected to be partly sunny, while another chance for thunderstorms could return by Tuesday.