GoKawiilA heat wave in Europe this week has broken June temperature records and is being blamed for dozens of deaths, and another round of soaring temps is expected to hit the eastern US next week.
National Weather Service forecasters expect a long-lasting heat wave in the central to eastern US to start this weekend and likely to last into the July 4 holiday weekend. Temperatures in the 90s and low 100s Fahrenheit are expected, along with high humidity. That means heat indices near or above 105 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
It's not just the afternoon highs, either. "Overnight lows will also be quite warm," NWS forecasters wrote, "with some record high minimums possible, bringing little to no relief from the heat in the nighttime hours." Those nighttime temps can be just as dangerous as the triple-digit highs.
Don't be fooled by a cool breeze or what your weather app says. Outdoor temperatures that say 90 degrees can still feel like 100 degrees or hotter. Your health conditions can make heat even more critical. As much as we love summer fun outdoors, heat waves can be dangerous and deadly.
And heat waves are getting worse and more frequent due to climate change caused largely by the burning of fossil fuels. An analysis by European climate scientists on this week's heat wave found a similar event in 1976 would've been about 3.5 degrees Celsius cooler, and one in 2003 about 2 degrees cooler. "This summer shows that at 1.4°C of global warming, extreme heat is already reaching the limits of our societies' ability to cope," the scientists wrote.
As temperatures rise this weekend, it's crucial to stay safe and alert of all weather advisories. Expert guidance may mean changing your plans or taking extra precautions. As much as keeping cool seems obvious, some reminders can be lifesaving.
Temperatures Thursday in London reached 36.4 degrees Celsius, or more than 97 degrees Fahrenheit, as Europe deals with a deadly heat wave. High temperatures are expected for the eastern and central US next week. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Keep an eye on the heat
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a HeatRisk tracking tool that gives you the daily risk level based on your ZIP code, plus tips to help manage your health in the heat. Pay attention to your weather app for temperatures and weather alerts. You may also see the temperature that it feels like, which can be higher than the "official" temperature because of humidity and other factors.
During heat waves, you may expect temperatures to cool at night, but sometimes they don't drop enough to offer genuine relief. Cooler night temperatures give your body a chance to reset from the heat that can impact your body. But when temperatures remain high, your body doesn't have that chance, which can be dangerous for your health. So even when the sun goes down, continue to pay attention to how hot it is -- and not just outside your home.
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