Dubai, for example, is forecast to see air temperatures hover around 43 degrees Celsius . But climate experts say air temperature alone can be misleading.
Dubai could this week briefly touch wet-bulb temperatures nearing 30C - roughly the point at which serious health effects could occur - but would need to sustain that temperature for several hours, which isn't yet expected.A wet-bulb measurement is taken by covering a thermometer with a water-soaked cloth. The process of the water evaporating from the cloth, thus lowering the temperature, mirrors how the human body cools down with sweat.
If the body cannot cool down it will eventually overheat, triggering respiratory and cardiovascular issues, and even death.co-authored by Huber in 2010 found that a wet-bulb temperature of 35C persisting beyond six hours could induce hyperthermia in people and cause serious health consequences or death.
"If you warm the world by about 1C, then the maximum wet-bulb temperature that might be experienced over much of the world increases by about one degree," said Huber.