June is the new July. Or maybe even August. At least it feels that way, as summer heat has already soared to record highs.). Now, another heat dome is bringing another wave of extreme heat to swaths of the Midwest and East Coast, with temperatures forecasted to reach close to 38° Celsius in many cities.
Such early heat waves can be more dangerous than ones that happen later in the summer, Zaitchik says. That’s in part because our bodies have adjusted to the heat by late summer, a bit like acclimatizing to a hot water bath. Such sudden hot temperatures can also catch people by surprise. Outdoor activities that would normally be perfect for June weather in temperate locations can turn risky.
Body temperatures that climb too high can lead to faintness, headache and dizziness, hallmarks of heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke if the body doesn’t cool down, causing overheated, oxygen-deprived organs to fail. People with heat stroke may become delirious or have seizures, suffer from permanent organ damage or even die.Staying hydrated, limiting activity and camping out in air-conditioned buildings can help people stay safe during heat waves.
Adults over 65 are also at higher risk, in part because older people can’t cool their bodies as efficiently as they could when they were younger. Individuals in this age group are also more likely to have chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart problems that heat can make worse. Older people with coronary artery disease who were exposed to increasing temperatures had Heat is dangerous for younger people with chronic conditions, too.