America's Most Dangerous Weather Event - Important Things to Keep in Mind During a Heat Wave
A heat wave is defined by different criteria, depending on regional differences throughout the country. Regardless of how it is defined, heat is the top weather-related killer in the U.S., making it important to take this threat seriously. Here are four things to keep in mind during times of extreme heat so that you can keep you and your family safe as the mercury soars.
Heat is the Number One Weather-Related Threat to Life in the U.S.
There is no doubt that hurricanes, tornadoes, flash flooding events, and wildfires tend to generate the biggest headlines. However, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), more lives are lost each year in the U.S. due to heat than any other weather hazard.
Extreme heat that lingers for several days inherently stresses the human body. This stress can trigger a myriad of heat-related illnesses. While even the healthiest people can be at risk of climbing temperatures, the elderly, young children, and those with pre-existing health conditions are the most at risk.
Understanding the first signs of heat-related illnesses will help you to recognize the problem and take the appropriate action. The first symptoms that something may be amiss include increased sweating and muscle cramps. Other signs that necessitate medical attention include dizziness, mental confusion, nausea, fatigue, and the presence of a rash.
Symptoms that are not recognized and treated can lead to more serious issues, including heat exhaustion or a potentially fatal heat stroke.
Importance of Heat Index and Overnight Temperatures
While the overall air temperature is the most widely used indicator of heat, the number alone does not tell the whole story. It is also important to know the heat index when making outdoor plans. The heat index takes into consideration the humidity levels to give a measurement that is more indicative of what it truly feels like outside.
Hot and humid days naturally feel more oppressive than dry days. The added moisture circulating in the air makes it more difficult for sweat to evaporate off the skin, mitigating the body's natural cooling process.
Many reporting agencies refer to the heat index as the "real feel" or "feels like" temperature. A heat index of 103 degrees or greater should be taken seriously. The negative impacts of a high heat index are compounded when the weather pattern lasts for several days.
In addition to the heat index, meteorologists also pay close attention to the overnight temperatures. Warm overnight temperatures do not give the body the chance to recover from the heat of the day. Overnight lows that fail to drop below the 80-degree mark are the most dangerous, particularly when combined with high humidity levels.
Climatologists warn that the overnight hours can be more deadly than the daytime heat. This is because the heat stress builds over time.
Why Heat Wave Impacts Are Worse in Cities
The impacts of heat waves are often amplified in large urban areas. The phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect explains how temperatures tend to run noticeably warmer in cities compared to surrounding rural areas.
According to NOAA, some neighborhoods in urban areas can see the mercury soar up to 20 degrees hotter than in nearby areas with more lush vegetation. Trees and grass are generally replaced by pavement and buildings in cities when compared to suburban and rural areas. The proliferation of concrete and asphalt inherently absorbs more of the sun's heat, causing temperatures to rise in urban areas. In addition, taller buildings and narrow roads reduce the flow of air, further trapping the heat.
The difference in temperatures between cities and areas just outside the urban core is the greatest right after the sun goes down. The daytime heat tends to stick around at night in urban areas, as opposed to escaping in rural communities.
Heat Wave Safety Tips
You cannot control how hot the temperatures will get in the months ahead. What you can control is how you react to the soaring temperatures. The best strategy is to avoid spending extended periods of time outside during the peak heat of the day. Simply moving your outdoor recreational activities or other work to the early morning or evening hours will help to dodge the most dangerous mercury readings.
It is also important for communities to look after one another. Checking on vulnerable friends, family members, and neighbors during times of extreme heat could save lives.
Lastly, be sure to stay abreast of the changing weather forecast when extreme heat is in the picture. Knowing the heat index and overnight lows will help you to make the best decisions for your safety and well-being.
Heat may not carry the same attention-grabbing headlines that hurricanes and tornadoes do, but that does not mean that the weather threat should be taken lightly. Understanding the risks heading into the sizzling summer season will help to reduce the risk that your family becomes a victim of the rising temperatures in the months ahead.
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