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Heat waves make the list of the most dangerous natural disasters ever. Unfortunately, they don’t receive the attention they need since their destruction and death tolls are not usually evident. Nevertheless, about 166,000 persons died from heat wave-related causes from 1998-2007. People’s exposure to heat waves climbed by over 125 million between 2000 and 2016.
Over time, heat waves have intensified in the USA’s major cities. Reports have it that the average temperature during the 1960s heat wave in 50 American cities was 2.0°F higher than the 85th percentile criteria for their locations. In addition, the heat waves during the 2020s have been 2.3°F higher than the regional threshold.
What Are Heat Waves?
It’s normal for temperatures to rise slightly above or below average temperatures for a region once in a while. However, heat waves may be the culprit when the temperature rise is significant, becomes regular, and lasts longer than expected.
There is no universally accepted definition for heat waves, as what amounts to a heat wave depends on the region’s typical weather. However, in Italy, a heat wave is an extended stretch of unusually hot weather that often exceeds two days regardless of humidity. These heat waves can cover large areas and cause serious health hazards by exposing numerous people to dangerous heat.
What Causes Heat Waves?
Typically, strong prevailing winds carry air around the world. However, heat waves develop when unusually high atmospheric pressure moves in and keeps warm air compressed to the ground.
As the air remains trapped, it can’t ascend to the higher atmosphere’s lower temperatures. As such, temperatures rise, and we start to feel much hotter.
The Effects of Heat Waves
Heat waves can increase the likelihood of other types of disasters. For example, it can worsen drought and spark wildfires. Heat waves can also cause the urban heat island effect, where urban areas experience hotter temperatures than outlying areas as buildings and infrastructure absorb heat. This has the effect of raising energy costs, air pollution levels, and heat-related illnesses and deaths.
Exposure to extreme heat can also cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, stress, and stroke. It can negatively impact agriculture by damaging crops and killing livestock. Cattle suffering from heat stress may produce less milk, grow more slowly, and conceive at a lower rate.
What to Do in a Heat Wave
One of the best coping mechanisms for heat waves is to reduce outdoor or strenuous activities till temperatures are much cooler. This advice is particularly important for sick persons, pregnant women, older adults, children, and infants. It’s important to minimize sun exposure as much as possible, as doing otherwise reduces the body’s ability to disperse heat.
Another way to cope with heat waves is to dress for summer. This means that individuals must put on lightweight and light-colored clothes that can reflect sunlight and heat. People should also wear loose-fitting clothing during heat waves.
When it comes to nutrition, it’s best to eat light and consume fruits, salads, and other meals that are easy to digest. It’s terrible to leave food in the sun during a heat wave. Instead, if food must be packed, it should be in a cooler with ice packs in it. Also, staying hydrated is essential to stay healthy during heat waves. Individuals should also avoid caffeinated fluids and alcoholic drinks in extremely hot conditions.
Finally, use air conditioners/fans and take cool showers during this period. However, be careful not to place portable electric fans directly toward yourself when the temperature exceeds 90°F. Otherwise, you’ll be placing your health at risk as the dry air blowing against your skin will rapidly make you dehydrated.
Forecasts
Scientists claim that we need to prepare for new record heat events in the coming decades, which will far exceed previous temperatures and record heat waves. One of the reasons for this is global warming.
Record heat forecasts are directly related to the rate of warming, suggesting that to reduce the risk of such a record heat wave, it is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Even if world leaders decide to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the near term to avoid potentially devastating global warming, unprecedented temperature extremes will still become more common over the next few decades.
