National Weather Service Issues Air Quality Alert From 2 p.m to 10 p.m. Wednesday

The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued an air quality action day Wednesday, saying that ground level ozone could meet or exceed unhealthy levels, creating problems for people with respiratory problems. The state DEP said ozone reached 114 on the Air Quality Index at 2 p.m. Wednesday. That means the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

"Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion during elevated ozone events," the state DEP said. "In addition, when particulate levels are elevated, people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion."

Manny Torres, who is visiting Madison from Meriden, said Wednesday morning he knew it was going to be a hot and muggy day. So he and his friends got up early to go fishing, hoping to catch something good for lunch. They are staying at the Hammonasset Beach State Park campgrounds.

"It's already too hot!" he said early Wednesday. "It's too hot even for the fish. They've all gone somewhere where it is cooler."

Torres, who was fishing with his friends Roberto DeLeon, Angel Carrion and Angel's son, Brandon, said they all planned to hang out by the ocean later today. He says they love Hammonasset and Madison, and like to come visit every year.

At the Surf Club, teams of workers worked early Wednesday morning to get the beach ready for crowds of people looking for a respite from the heat.

Craig Taylor, who grew up in Madison and now lives in Clinton, was clearing the beach of debris with a small truck. He said he tries to get it done as early as possible, so that visitors to the beach are not distubed by the noise of the truck.

"They want to hear the ocean, not the truck" said Taylor, with a smile. He has been working for the town for seven years.

Jessica Carr, 15, got in an early morning run Wednesday before the temperatures climbed.

"But it's already hot!" she said Wednesday morning. Her plans later in the day included visiting a friend in North Madison who has a pool.

Karen Sack was out walking with her children, Emma Sack, 4, Grady Sack, 3, and Karen's sister, Debbie Namnoum.

Emma Sack's plans later today include her favorite, strawberry ice cream. Grady is leaning towards chocolate.

Air quality action day for Madison and surrounding towns

The state Department of Environmental Protection has issued an air quality action day for southern Fairfield, southern Middlesex, southern New Haven, and southern New London counties. The alert is in effect from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday.

"An air quality action day means that ground level ozone within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards," said the National Weather Service, which published the alert issued by the state DEP.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Madison Wednesday was 114, according to data gathered at a monitoring station at Hammonasset Beach State Park. An AQI of 0 to 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 is considered moderate, and 101 to 150 is considered unhealthly for sensitive groups, such as people with respiratory problems.

The state DEP says ozone is "a colorless gas that is a major constituent of smog. This pollutant alone contributes to the majority of unhealthy air quality days in CT, as measured by the Air Quality Index (AQI). Ozone is found both at high altitude and ground level. High altitude ozone is beneficial because it shields the earth from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. Ground level ozone is harmful because it reacts with the mucus membranes of the respiratory system and causes inflammation."

For additional information, please see the PDFs with this article or go the DEP website.

The extended forecast from the National Weather Service is as follows:

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind between 6 and 9 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind between 4 and 7 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming southwest. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Light north wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind between 6 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 82.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.