Heat: Unseasonal, Extreme, and Prolonged Heat Waves:
Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, resulting in over one thousand fatalities each year, per the CDC. Heat can be very taxing on the body and heat related illnesses that can occur with even a short period of exposure. Everyone can be vulnerable to heat, but some more so than others.
Heat Wave:
A Heat Wave is a period of abnormally and uncomfortably hot and unusually humid weather typically lasting two or more days with temperatures outside the historical averages for a given area.
Ancient Reports on Extreme Heat:
Ancient stories regarding the last Binary Solar System crossing speak of extreme heat, dryness, drought, extreme and prolonged wildfires, warming oceans, and boiling seas.
Signs of the Times:
Extreme Heat Events on the Rise:
CLIMATE CHANGE and EXTREME HEAT What You Can Do to Prepare
"Extreme heat events in the United States are already occurring and expected to become more common, more severe, and longer-lasting as our climate changes.
The chances are increasing that an extreme heat event could happen where you live. That’s because average temperatures are rising, both in the United States and around the world. Globally, the annual average temperature has been rising since the beginning of the 20th century, and temperatures are expected to continue to rise through the end of this century.
Along with this overall warming, the United States is experiencing more extreme heat events. While you can expect to have an unusually hot day or night every so often because of the normal, day-to-day variation in weather, hotter-than-usual days and
nights are becoming more common.
Heat waves, which are prolonged periods of extreme heat, are also occurring more frequently in major U.S. cities since the mid-20th
century. In addition to becoming more common, heat waves are also lasting longer and becoming more severe."
Heat waves, extreme weather events becoming more common and likely to increase, experts say
"Heat waves like the one that engulfed parts of the South and Midwest and killed more than a dozen people are becoming more common, and experts say the extreme weather events, which claim more lives than hurricanes and tornadoes, will likely increase in the future."
Continued Rises in Extreme Heat and Implications for Health Disparities
"Climate change-related extreme heat events have lengthened, become more frequent, and increased in intensity over the past few decades with some of the worst conditions and impacts observed in Summer 2023.
Across the globe and the country there have been rising incidents of extreme heat, and air quality events. June 2023 became the hottest June on record, globally, while smoke from wildfires in Canada driven by climate change-related heat resulted in significant air pollution that affected more than 60 million people in the U.S. In August, prolonged dry conditions and high winds in Hawai’i laid the foundation for wildfires that caused massive destruction on the island of Maui and other areas of the islands, resulting in the largest loss of life due to wildfires in modern U.S. history."
Preparedness, Safety and Emergency Planning:
During extremely hot and humid weather, your body's ability to cool itself is challenged. When the body heats too rapidly to cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, body temperature rises and you or someone you care about may experience a heat-related illness. It is important to know the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses. More information here:
and
The following groups are particularly vulnerable to heat; check in with friends and relatives who fall in one of these populations:
- Young children and infants are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death, as their bodies are less able to adapt to heat than are adults.
- Older adults, particularly those with pre existing diseases, take certain medications, are living alone or with limited mobility who are exposed to extreme heat can experience multiple adverse effects.
- People with chronic medical conditions are more likely to have a serious health problem during a heat wave than healthy people.
- Pregnant women are also at higher risk. Extreme heat events have been associated with adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and infant mortality, as well as congenital cataracts.
- It is NEVER safe to leave a child, disabled person or pet locked in a car, even in the winter. If you have a toddler in your household, lock your cars, even in your own driveway. Kids play in cars or wander outside and get into a car and can die in 10 minutes!
LOOK BEFORE YOU LOCK!
More Heat Information:
Heat Wave:
Relevant Current Events:
2024
February 2024 North America
More than 300 all-time heat records were broken in the US this summer. See where it was the hottest.
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