Why it's so important to beat the heat wisely
Children cool off in an urban beach at Madrid Rio park in Madrid, Wednesday, June. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The historically record-breaking heat felt in multiple European cities is a stark reminder of the danger of rising temperatures as parts of America prepare for hot and humid weather through the Fourth of July.
Germany experienced its hottest June since tracking began in 1881, including the hottest June days since 1947, according to the Wall Street Journal. Austria also broke heat records dating back to the 18th century and last Friday, the temperature reached 115 degrees in the town of Gallargues-le-Montueux, a new high in the country since records began.
There were concerns the heat wave would approximate the deadly heat wave of 2003 when 70,000 people in 16 countries died, according to one report, with 15,000 in France alone. France's Health Ministry won't have a final count of casualties from this year's heat wave until the end of July, according to the Wall Street Journal.
“Heat kills a lot of people, and the elderly and very young are extremely sensitive to extremes of temperature,” said Dr. Joel N. Myers, AccuWeather founder and CEO. “If the heat wave in Europe had gone on longer, it would have killed many more people.”
In America this week, AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures may approach 110 degrees F in eastern areas. Also, the lower Mississippi Valley to the southern Atlantic Seaboard will experience high temperatures in the mid- to upper 90s – with a few triple-digit readings expected.
Charlotte, North Carolina, Macon, Georgia, and Gainesville, Florida, are among the southern U.S. cities where high temperatures are expected.
In the summer, dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke are among the heat-related illnesses that resulted in 8,081 heat-related deaths in the U.S. from 1999-2010, according to the CDC.
“The temperature and other indices do not tell the whole story of how weather conditions make us feel,” said Myers. “Other weather variables in addition to temperature, such as sunlight, humidity, wind, precipitation and a multitude of other factors can impact our comfort or discomfort outside and may even cause harm or illness.”
The AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature Guide offers 18 different RealFeel ranges with explanations on the meaning and impact for each in terms of health, safety and comfort. “The AccuWeathere RealFeel Temperature Guide is the only tool that works in all weather conditions and translates into actionable behavior choices,” Myers said.
In the southern U.S., forecast high temperatures will generally be 5-10 degrees above average for early July. Staying hydrated and taking possible breaks from the heat in air-conditioned environment are recommended, particularly if the heat extends for several days. “It’s not only how hot it gets, but how long it lasts,” Myers said.
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