A heat wave in Europe has broken June heat records and many deaths are suspected. Rising temperatures are expected to hit the eastern US this week, and you’ll need to be careful to protect yourself and your family from the heat.
National Weather Service forecasters expect a prolonged heat wave in the east-central US that may continue through the July 4 holiday weekend. Meteorologists are predicting temperatures in the 90s and lower 100s Fahrenheit and high humidity. That means temperatures near or above 105 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
That means there will be no relief even during the hours when the sun is not too strong. “Overnight lows will be much warmer,” NWS forecasters wrote, “with fewer record highs possible, bringing little relief from overnight heat.” Those nighttime temperatures can be as dangerous as triple-digit highs.
If you have underlying health conditions, heat can make them worse if you’re not careful.
Heat waves are getting worse because of climate change caused mainly by the burning of fossil fuels. An analysis by European climate scientists of this week’s heat wave found that a similar event in 1976 was 3.5 degrees Celsius cooler, while one in 2003 was 2 degrees cooler. “This summer shows that at 1.4°C of global warming, extreme heat has already reached the limit of our societies’ ability to cope,” the scientists wrote.
As temperatures rise this week, it’s important to stay safe and heed all weather advisories. This may mean staying and changing your plans or taking extra precautions if you have no choice but to be outside. In the heat of the moment, listening to safety experts can be a matter of life and death.
Temperatures in London reached 36.4 degrees Celsius, or more than 97 degrees Fahrenheit, as Europe faced a dangerous heat wave. High temperatures are expected in the eastern and central US this week.
Look at the heat
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a HeatRisk tracking tool that gives you a daily risk level based on your ZIP code, along with tips to help manage your health in the heat. Pay attention to your own weather app with temperature and weather warnings. You may also see the actual temperature, which may be higher than the “official” temperature due to humidity and other factors.
During heat waves, you might expect temperatures to cool at night, but sometimes they don’t drop enough to provide real relief. Cooler temperatures at night give your body a chance to reset from the heat that can affect your body. But if the temperatures stay high, your body doesn’t have that chance, which can be dangerous for your health. So even when the sun goes down, keep paying attention to how hot it is — and not just outside your home.
Make sure your home is cool
Keeping your home cool is important to protect your health during the heat too keep your pets safe and protect your loved ones from extremely warm temperatures.
“Stay in the cool part of your home as much as possible,” says CNET Editor Corin Cesaric-Eppie. “The National Weather Service also warns against exposure to direct sunlight because it can lead to sunburn, which makes it more difficult for your body to heal.”
In your home, an air conditioner is a common way to ensure you stay comfortable and safe.
The Cesaric-Epple team and CNET Labs reviewed more than a dozen portable and window AC units and determine that the window units have optimal cooling performance. Energy Star models can also keep you cool while using less electricity.
If you’re not in the market for a new AC unit, there are alternatives tips to keep your home cool. Consider keeping your curtains closed to prevent sunlight from heating your home. Also use weatherstripping or other materials to seal any gaps around your doors and windows to keep cool air in and hot, humid air out.
Stay hydrated
It is very important to stay hydrated during heat waves. Dehydration can be dangerous because your body needs sweat to stay cool. Drink water regularly and carry water with you when you go outside. The CDC recommends drinking eight ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes when working outside in the heat. You should drink in short intervals instead of eating a large amount at one time. Most importantly, the CDC does not recommend drinking more than 48 ounces of water per hour.
CNET has more tips to help you stay cool this weekend, and throughout the summer, including a hand held fan we recommend helping you stay cool, too symptoms of fever to be aware.
