Heat Wave July 2016: Forecast and Temperature Highs; Which US States Are Most Affected This Week
Scorching Heat Indexes in the US Midwest Are Expected This Week
Temperatures will continue to rise this week as forecasters warn of searing temperatures due to very high humidity along with heat over a large portion of the United States.
Forecasters warned residents of the Midwest of a phenomenon known as a "heat dome." Heat domes develop when moisture combined with extreme high temperatures create more heat over a large area. The heat dome will cover the entire Midwest, sparing the northwest part of the United States.
Deadly Heat Dome Conditions
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People living under the heat dome could experience extremes in temperature which could be deadly especially for the elderly and very young children. The heat index, or what it actually feels like outside when you combine humidity and high temperatures, will be at dangerous levels. Increasing heat indexes lead to increased risk of suffering from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. This could even lead to death if first aid is not immediately applied.
Extreme heat plus high humidity is a formula for danger. High humidity slows down evaporation or, in the body's case, sweating. The body sweats in an attempt to cool it down. If this is not achieved, a person can suffer from heat exhaustion in a matter of minutes. And since men sweat more than women, they are more vulnerable to heat illnesses since they can become quickly dehydrated.
Affected States
Experts warned residents of Kansas City, Des Moines, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City and Chicago that temperatures in their cities may exceed 100 degrees. When humidity is included, the heat index can even reach to as much as 120 degrees. Residents should also brace for the rise of heat-related illnesses. Heat has been known to cause terrible illnesses as well as kill hundreds of people yearly.
The Urban Heat Island
Aside from the heat dome phenomenon, people living in an urban heat island could become 5 degrees warmer during the day and even as high as 2 degrees warmer in the evenings. An urban heat island is no tropical paradise. These are metropolitan areas that face higher heat indexes due to dense infrastructure and cemented roads which absorb heat more. And along with pollution, these factors create an urban heat island. Experts also say that in 2030, urban heat island populations could increase by 70 percent.
Safety First
Aside from predicting the weather, experts also advise safety in dealing with extreme temperature conditions. Anyone who wants to get out in the sun should drink plenty of water, eat light meals that are easier to digest, wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing and stay in an air-conditioned space.
