Air Quality Alert Issues for Essex County

The National Weather Service has issued an air quality alert for Essex County, along with much of the Garden State, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday.

The NWS said the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection issued an "air quality action day" alert for the state. 

The NJ DEP 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 Tuesday afternoon through the evening hours. 

Here is the NWS weather forecast for the Bloomfield area through the end of the work week:

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. North wind around 8 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south between 4 and 7 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. South wind around 6 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. West wind between 5 and 11 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75.

Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.