Severe Heat Returns: Identifying Areas Most Affected
The United States is currently experiencing the peak of summer, and the heat is showing no signs of letting up. Many more locales are currently experiencing at least one of their 10-hottest summers to date, with the bulk of the heat focused on the East, where dozens of locations are on track for their hottest summer to date.
Climate change is significantly impacting the frequency, severity, and duration of these heat waves. Since 2009, the U.S. has seen a 34% increase in the frequency of heat waves, with some regions experiencing more frequent heat waves than others due to localized climate factors.
The heat waves are becoming more severe, with recent heat waves in the Western U.S. made two to five times more likely by human-caused climate change. The combination of high temperatures and humidity increases the heat index, making heat waves feel more extreme, especially in regions like the Central Plains and Midwest.
Heat waves are also becoming longer-lasting, with a 17% increase in duration since 2009 in the U.S. Features like heat domes, which are areas of high pressure, can persist for longer periods, maintaining hot conditions over regions like the Southeast and Midwest.
The impacts of these heat waves are far-reaching. Chicago, St. Louis, and Memphis could experience their new hottest day of the year on Thursday, with nighttime temperatures taking the hardest hit from climate change, warming faster than daytime highs. The heat index, or how hot it will feel, will reach triple digits in certain areas.
These extreme temperatures pose significant health risks, leading to increased heat-related illnesses and deaths, exacerbating health issues like sleep apnea and air quality problems. The economic impacts are also significant, with lost labor productivity and increased emergency room visits due to heat exposure.
As August begins, the heat risk level is a Level 3 of 4 across much of the country on Thursday, and pockets in the Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast are under a Level 4 of 4 "extreme" risk. August is likely to be another hot month for much of the country.
It's crucial for individuals to take precautions during these extreme heat events, staying hydrated, seeking air-conditioned environments, and checking on vulnerable neighbors. Governments and businesses must also adapt to these changing climate conditions, investing in infrastructure and policies that mitigate the impacts of heat waves and protect public health and the economy.
Mental-health issues may worsen as the prolonged heatwaves cause stress and discomfort to people, especially during summer months when they peak. The increasing frequency, severity, and duration of heatwaves are alarming signs of climate change, which also influences the environmental-science field significantly.
