Bedford Under Severe Thunderstorm Watch

While the heat advisory expires at 6 p.m., the severe thunderstorm watch extends to 10 p.m. Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Air Pollution

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is expecting air pollution concentrations to reach unhealthy levels for sensitive individuals in parts of the state Wednesday. 

DES officials are calling for an Air Quality Action Day and advise sensitive individuals in to take precautions to protect their health by limiting prolonged outdoor exertion. Sensitive individuals include children and older adults, anyone with lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, and people who are active outdoors. Even healthy individuals may experience mild health effects and should consider limiting strenuous or prolonged outdoor activities.

DES forecasts unhealthy concentrations of ground-level ozone for sensitive individuals. The expected unhealthy air quality is due to the persistence of high temperatures under sunny skies and light winds transporting pollution into New Hampshire from surrounding areas. Conditions are expected to improve on Thursday as clouds and cleaner air move into the region.

Symptoms of ozone exposure include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain when inhaling deeply, and shortness of breath. The severity of the health effects increases as ozone concentrations increase.

The National Weather Service has also issued a Heat Advisory for interior Rockingham County on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to peak in the mid-90s and heat index values above 100 degrees.