In summer 2021 , Oklahoma City , Oklahoma , did n’t record a single three - figure temperature . In summertime 2022 , it hasrecorded 19 dayswhen the temperature hit 100 ° F or gamy — and summer ’s not even over yet .
area around the creation are experiencing record heat , which often leads to give-and-take ofheat waves . But what exactly does that mean , and what causes them ?
According to the National Weather Service , a heat wave is a menstruation in which higher - than - normal temperature are recorded forat least two days . ( This definition is n’t oecumenical . The World Meteorological Society , for example , defines a heat waveas live on five days at temperatures nine grade in high spirits than normal . ) The utmost heat is due to high pressure systems , which labour warmer , compact air down toward the ground , raising the temperature . These systems also decrease wind and cloud screen , reducing protectionagainst the estrus . High humidness often adds to the unpleasant experience .
A warmth wave betoken when these high pressure systems are active . Elevatedhumidityraises theheat exponent , which assesses both temperature and humidness . The latter make it harder to chill off because it slow up the evaporation of swither from the consistency .
A estrus monition or high temperature advisory is a public health notice cautioning people that extravagant heat could have inauspicious wellness effects , lay out from dehydration toheat stroke . An advisory typically press people to pledge peck of water and avoid out-of-door activities , at least during the red-hot part of the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
While most concern over heat waves are rightfully focused on human safety gadget , it’simportantto retrieve that excessive warmth can have a negative impact on infrastructure , too . paving can get warped and superpower grids can be overwhelmed as people rush to useair conditioning .
If you need tocope with a estrus wave , tope stack of non - alcohol-dependent fluids , wear light wear , and seek a cooling center in your residential area if your residence does n’t have AC .
[ h / tUSA Today ]
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