Searing Temperatures Expected in the U.S. this week

Extreme heat pared with very high humidity is a deadly combination. The heat index is the measure of how hot it really feels when high humidity makes the heat more miserable. Forecasters are predicting that the heat index will reach dangerous levels this week increasing the risk of heat exhaustion, heat stroke and death.

According to a CNN report," heat kills more people in the United States than all other natural disasters combined."

A number of Midwestern cities such as Des Moines, Kansas City, St. Louis, Minneapolis and Chicago are expected to see temperatures reaching or exceeding 100 degrees, and due to the humidity the heat index may rise to a dangerous 120 degrees.

High humidity slows down evaporation which makes sweating an ineffective way of cooling. It the body is prevented from cooling down heat exhaustion is likely to develop. Men, who sweat more than women are at higher risk for heat illness because they become dehydrated faster.

Chicago experienced the worst heat wave ever recorded in 1995 when 465 people died over a 5 day period, with hundreds more suffering heat related illnesses. Over 1000 people died at the time across the U.S. – and half of them died in Chicago.

קישורים:
High temperatures, 'corn sweat' form dangerous heat dome over U.S.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!