U.S. government urges caution as weather heats up
Copyright 2000, Reuters
Wednesday, June 21, 2000
By Shanida Smith
Americans should prepare for higher-than-normal temperatures this summer and take precautions against heat-related illnesses, U.S. health and weather officials said Tuesday.
The warning came as a drought was parching states from Nebraska to South Carolina and after record heat in the San Francisco area last week killed 19 people.
The National Weather Service said its summer outlook was for prolonged hot temperatures in the Southeast and Midwest.
Temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit for three or more consecutive days can pose heat-related dangers, said NWS spokeswoman Susan Weaver. A heat wave can be especially dangerous in cities, where air pollution is trapped in stagnant air.
"Pay attention to weather forecasts," Weaver said, adding that "regional variability is important."
Heat illnesses are usually caused by the body's inability to shed enough heat by sweating or when a salt imbalance occurs from too much sweating.
People most at risk from heat illnesses include the elderly, small children and those taking certain kinds of medications.
Weaver said people should reduce or eliminate strenuous activity during the hottest time of the day, wear light-colored, lightweight clothing, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and stay out of the sun.
Soaring temperatures and high humidity have killed more people each year than any other weather phenomena — including hurricanes and tornadoes — during the past decade, the NWS said. In 1999 there were 497 heat-related deaths in the nation. The agency issues a daily heat index to measure how hot it really feels when the relative humidity is added to the air temperature.
For example, if the air temperature is 95 degrees Fahrenheit and the relative humidity is 55 percent, the heat index would be 110 F.
A heat index of 90-105 F means the possibility exists for heat cramps or heat exhaustion, according to the NWS. If the index rises to between 105 and 130 F, those health problems are likely to occur.
The NWS issues a special alert when the heat index exceeds 105 F for at least two consecutive days in a certain area.
Along with the NWS, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control is trying to prepare the nation for prolonged high temperatures.