Extreme Heat
What is extreme heat?
Extreme heat, or excessive heat events, are long stretches of heat with little relief that are much hotter or more humid than expected for the time of year. When the body gets too hot, it begins to sweat to cool itself off. If sweat is not able to evaporate or leave the body, the body cannot regulate its temperature. In extreme heat, the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature and overworking during these events may lead to illness, injury, or death.
What is heat index?
The heat index is what the temperature feels like outside when the relative humidity is combined with the actual temperature. As the air temperature and relative humidity increase, the heat index increases. The more humidity in the air outside, the warmer it feels to the body.
HeatRisk Map
Enter your zip code into the HeatRisk map and see what actions need to be taken to keep you and your family safe. If you are pregnant, are a child or teen with asthma, or have a heart condition or other chronic health conditions, heat can make your health worse.
Heat and Health
It is important to know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses. Mild heat rash and sunburn are considered heat related illnesses and should be taken seriously. Heat illness can progress to more serious conditions such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Heat stroke can be fatal in minutes if not caught early or left untreated! Signs and symptoms to look for if you are outside for long periods of time during a heat event include:
- Muscle cramping
- Unusually heavy sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Weakness
- Nausea
Heat events can be more dangerous to those with pre-existing health conditions, taking certain medication, or are very young or elderly. These events can also affect those who do not have access to cooling resources such as fans or A/C in the home or community cooling centers.
In Ohio, the five local National Weather Service (NWS) Offices maintain the criteria for issuing Heat Advisories, Excessive Heat Watches, and Excessive Heat Warnings:
- Excessive Heat Warning: Issued when the heat index is expected to reach around 105°F or higher for a period of at least 2 hours. A warning would also be appropriate if head advisory criteria are expected to be reached for 4 consecutive days.
- Excessive Heat Watch: Issued when there is potential for heat index values of 105°F or hotter within the next 24 to 48 hours.
- Heat Advisories: Issued for heat index of equal to 100°F and less than 105°F for a period of at least 2 hours.
Sources:
cdc.gov/heat-health
