More than 80 million people are experiencing Extreme Heat Warnings or Heat Advisories this week, according to the National Weather Service. The Weather Prediction Center describes the heat dome as a ‘steamy air-mass even by mid-to-late August standards.’ Record-breaking heat persists across the South-Central U.S. and is expected to move into the Southwest by mid-week, with temperatures reaching triple digits.
Much of the desert Southwest, including Arizona and New Mexico, may see record high temperatures, according to the National Weather Service. Dangerous heat will last over the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley, with temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The Southwest will continue to warm, with highs possibly exceeding 110 degrees. Nights will provide little relief, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Understanding Climate Change and Heat Waves
Scientists increasingly link extreme weather, like this heat, to climate change. Rebecca Hersher from NPR highlights this connection, noting insights from Michael Wehner, a senior scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He states that climate change has increased typical U.S. heat wave temperatures by 3 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Journalists use credible sources such as the National Climate Assessment and the World Weather Attribution to report on the impact of climate change. Reliable information comes from the National Weather Service and peer-reviewed science. This helps guide coverage, especially with regular updates from the national forecast.
Climate change, largely due to fossil fuels, contributes to longer and more intense heat waves globally, including in the U.S. The frequency of such heat waves has doubled since the 1980s, with records being surpassed more frequently. Scientists from the World Weather Attribution group argue that the most intense heat waves would be impossible without global warming caused by human activity.
The Health Impact of Heat
High temperatures affect the heat index, reflecting how hot it feels when humidity combines with air temperature. This index will range between 105-115 degrees in parts of Texas, Arizona, Louisiana, and northern Florida. Heat-related deaths are often undercounted, yet heat is deadlier than hurricanes, wildfires, and floods combined. Humid heat is especially hazardous because sweat doesn’t evaporate, preventing the body from cooling down.
Engagement from the Public
While extreme weather isn’t new, climate change intensifies and increases its frequency. NPR aims to help communities understand these impacts but relies on public input. Reader questions on climate change and its role in extreme weather could shape future reporting.
Sadie Babits, senior supervising climate editor for NPR, authored ‘Hot Takes: Every Journalist’s Guide to Covering Climate Change.’
Leave a Reply