Good evening, Central New York. We're wrapping up the day for you with the most important stories you need to know and your weather outlook.

Your Weather Planner

Wildfire smoke will persist through tonight. Because of that, air quality alerts remain in effect through at least midnight. If you don't have to spend a significant amount of time outside tonight, don't. Pollutant levels are high enough that issues could be felt to not only those sensitive individuals but to all.

Showers are expected tonight along with cooler temperatures. Expect to see lows fall into the 40s for most.

Thursday and Friday, air quality will remain an issue as we don't expect any significant shift in wind direction. Outside of that, it will be cooler with the risk for showers around. 

Tomorrow's Forecast

Central NY Hourly Forecast | Southern Tier Hourly Forecast | Northern New York Hourly Forecast

Introducing Spectrum News+
Watch the latest news and more local stories from across the country.

Today's Big Stories

1. New York State DEC commissioner: 'Worst air we’ve seen' since 2002

State DOH Commissioner Dr. James McDonald says if residents need to go outdoors, particularly in Central New York, wearing a mask is recommended. McDonald says he is recommending outdoor masking for those in areas with air quality indexes above 300 to keep the air in your lungs clean. Officials say you can check the air quality in your ZIP code by going to airnow.gov.

2. When will the smoke finally leave upstate New York?

A northwest wind and low relative humidity in combination with hundreds of wildfires in Quebec, Canada is keeping our air smoky. While the air improves up north, it's a stagnant pattern with northwest winds lingering in west and south parts of New York that might allow for yet another smoky day tomorrow.

3. NYC sues 30 New York counties over migrant policies

New York City sued more than 30 municipalities and local leaders mostly in upstate New York on Wednesday, alleging they "have sought to wall off their borders" through emergency orders that obstruct the city's efforts to relocate migrants upstate "in a manner that is explicitly permitted by law and required by a statewide emergency."

4. NYC to receive $100M from FEMA to help with asylum seekers

The Biden administration will provide the city $104.6 million in grant funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Shelter Services Program, according to Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Sen. Chuck Schumer, both New York Democrats.

5. Concern grows amid possible Lake Placid emergency room closure

In a signed statement provided to Spectrum News 1, Adirondack Health leadership says it simply cannot afford to operate to Lake Placid ER anymore. The statement says the department lost nearly $10 million in 2022, averaging only about eight visits per day. And of all its visits in 2022, only about 2% were truly emergencies.

6. 'Different times call for different leadership': Former VP Mike Pence launches 2024 White House bid

Pence is staking his presidential hopes on Iowa as he launches a campaign that will make him the first vice president in modern history to take on his former running mate. Pence's campaign will also test the party's appetite for a socially conservative, mild-mannered and deeply religious candidate who has denounced the populist tide that has swept through his party under Trump.

Your Notes for Thursday

  • International Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Weekend begins at 10 a.m. at Turning Stone Resort Casino
  • A court hearing is scheduled for the Buffalo supermarket shooter on federal hate crime charges 
  • President Biden will host the U.K. prime minister at the White House