Air Quality Alert Extended for Bergen County

The National Weather Service has extended the air quality alert it issued Tuesday for Bergen County, along with much of the Garden State, through 10 p.m. Wednesday.

The NJ Department of Environmental Protection said ozone levels will reach unhealthy levels especially for those in "sensitive groups" which include young children, the elderly and people with respiratory issues such as asthma. The heat and humidity are contributing to the poor air quality, according to the NWS.

Authorities recommend that residents avoid strenuous outdoor activities through the end of the week. 

The NWS also issued an excessive heat watch from Thursday afternoon through Friday evening. The heat index is expected to range from 105 degrees on Thursday to 110 degrees on Friday.

Here is the NWS weather forecast for Fort Lee through the end of the work week:

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. South wind between 3 and 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Southwest wind between 6 and 10 mph.

Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 105. Southwest wind between 8 and 15 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 77. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Friday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. West wind between 5 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.