SMWGYX

The National Weather Service in Gray Maine has issued a

* Special Marine Warning for...
Casco Bay...
Coastal Waters from Cape Elizabeth, ME to Merrimack River, MA out
25 NM...
Coastal Waters from Port Clyde, ME to Cape Elizabeth, ME out 25
NM...

* Until 1130 PM EDT.

* At 1033 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Portland,
moving east at 25 knots.

HAZARD...Wind gusts to 45 knots.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and
suddenly higher waves.

* Locations impacted include...
Freeport, Harpswell, Portland, Chebeague Island, Cape Elizabeth,
and Boothbay.

WHAT: Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 110
possible.

WHERE: Portions of south central, southwest, and western Maine
and central, northern, and southern New Hampshire.

WHEN: From Wednesday afternoon through Friday evening.

IMPACTS: Heat related illnesses increase significantly during
extreme heat and high humidity events.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Overnight low temperatures will only fall
into the 70s, resulting in accumulated heat stress.

WHAT: For the Extreme Heat Warning, dangerously hot conditions
with heat index values up to 110. For the Heat Advisory, heat
index values up to 104 expected.

WHERE: Coastal Waldo, Interior Waldo, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln,
Sagadahoc, and Coastal Cumberland Counties.

WHEN: For the Extreme Heat Warning, until 8 PM EDT this evening.
For the Heat Advisory, from 8 PM this evening to 8 PM EDT Friday.

IMPACTS: Heat related illnesses increase significantly during
extreme heat and high humidity events. Hot temperatures and high
humidity may cause heat illnesses.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Overnight low temperatures will only fall
into the 70s, resulting in accumulated heat stress.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Air
Quality has issued an Air Quality Alert for particle pollution from
midnight tonight to midnight EDT Sunday night.

Particle pollution levels are expected to rise into the Unhealthy for
Sensitive Groups range periodically during the weekend. People are
advised to follow the health message if visibility is poor or they
can smell smoke.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection recommends that
individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to
reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be
especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants
include the very young, the elderly, those with pre-existing
respiratory problems such as asthma, those with heart disease and
anyone who is working hard outdoors. It is okay to be active
outdoors. But if you experience symptoms such as shortness of
breath, coughing, throat irritation or an uncomfortable sensation in
your chest please consider limiting the intensity and duration of
your outdoor activities.

A toll free air quality hotline has been established so Maine
residents can stay informed on the air quality situations. The toll
free number is: 1-800-223-1196.

Additionally the Maine Department of Environmental Protection has
the air quality forecast available on the web at
www.maine.gov/dep/air/aqforecast.