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Extreme Weather Tips

EXTREME WEATHER TASK FORCE

Surviving Hot & Humid Weather

Surviving Hot & Humid Weather

The best way to avoid the heat is to stay indoors where it is air-conditioned. If you don't have air conditioning, now is a good time to visit library (many have internet access now), the mall, city buildings, or a friend who has it. If you have to be out in the sun, don't forget your SUNBLOCK to protect your skin, and drink plenty of WATER and/or fruit JUICE. Don't eat heavy meals, eat lighter ones, avoid cream and caffeine, and especially alcohol. Remember, Slow down and relax!

HEAT STRESS SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:

Dizziness; nausea; irregular heartbeat; muscle cramps; headache; excessive weakness; severe mental changes; rapid shallow breathing; loss of appetite.

Hot, humid weather is more uncomfortable than hot, dry weather because high humidity slows the evaporation of sweat. Evaporation is nature's way of cooling. Hot, humid weather is not only uncomfortable, it's dangerous to those exercising in it. The table here shows how to find the "apparent temperature," that is, how hot various temperature-humidity combinations feel. For example, if the temperature is 95 and the relative humidity is 50 percent, find 95 in the temperature column on the left side, follow that row to the right to the 50 percent humidity column. The apparent temperature is 107. This falls into the "DANGER" area where outdoor exercise isn't a wise idea.

THE DANGERS OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY

When heat and humidity combine to reduce the amount of evaporation of sweat from the body, outdoor exercise becomes dangerous even for those in good shape. Key rules for coping with heat are to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and to slow down and cool off when feeling fatigued, a headache, a high pulse rate or shallow breathing. Overheating can cause serious, even life-threatening conditions such as heat stroke. The apparent temperature, which combines the temperature and relative humidity, is a guide to the danger. Below is the heat stress index based on the apparent temperature. Source: The USA TODAY Weather Book by Jack Williams

Category	Apparent Temperature	General Effect
Extreme danger	130 or higher	Heatstroke/Sunstroke highly likely
Danger	105-130	Sunstroke, Heat Cramps, or Heat Exhaustion likely, and Heatstroke possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity
Extreme caution	90-105	Sunstroke, Heat Cramps, or Heat Exhaustion possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity
Caution	80-90	Fatigue possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity

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