Summer Heat Safety: Defining Heat Waves

The recent weather has been the hottest of the summer thus far for many. You may have heard the term “heat wave”, but what exactly does that mean? Let’s take a look.

A heat wave is first and foremost a period of abnormally hot weather, meaning the temperatures are much hotter than usual for a given location. In addition, higher humidity often accompanies the higher temperatures, making the air feel even hotter than the actual temperature.

Second, heat waves must be at least two days long in duration, which elevates heat-related illnesses due to longevity.

Heat waves often occupy a large area as a high pressure sets up, yielding sunshine and progressively hotter days. For example, in the East, the Bermuda High pressure is often the cause of summer heat waves as hot, southwesterly flow is pumped northward.

A heat wave in Seattle is not defined as the same as a heat wave in Houston. In Seattle, the average high temperature around mid-August is nearly 80 degrees and the upcoming stretch of temperatures in the 90s effectively defines a heat wave. However, Houston averages a mid-August high temperature in the mid-90s, so the temperatures Seattle is experiencing are just about normal in Houston.

No matter the definition, heat waves and abnormally hot weather can be dangerous for those not used to temperatures hotter than normal.

Source: weather.gov
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