Record number of hot nights compounding danger from heat waves

[Divernan]

http://news.yahoo.com/hot-nights-compound-danger-heat-waves-181845408.html

For folks without air conditioning, a nighttime respite from the worst of the heat gives the body a vital chance to recover from the stresses of the day.

While the current heat wave has recorded 12 all-time daily highs so far this month, it also has registered 98 all-time overnight highs, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported at a briefing Thursday.

And that's just all-time highs. When it comes to a record high for a particular date, 1,279 locations have tied or broken daytime records this month while 3,128 night time highs have been tied or broken.

High overnight readings also increase energy consumption as air conditioning units run deeper into the night and start earlier in the morning, he said.
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The article details statistics and examples from different parts of the country, and provides the three month weather projection for continued extreme heat. It notes that overnight high temps were a major factor in Chicago's 1995 heat wave, which caused over 700 deaths. Many were senior citizens who died in apartments because they couldn't afford to run their air conditioning or lived in neighborhoods were it was too dangerous to leave windows open for fear of criminals.

[Divine Discontent]

1. The scientists are right, and it's getting worse (higher temp avg throughout year) and frankly,

Al Gore said too little has been done when we needed drastic change in our attempts to go green.

I was thinking about how hot it has been at night for many across the country and thought, that's scary. Power running so much that hundreds of thousands are going to be unable to pay their bills, then what? Cut their power?

[NEOhiodemocrat]

2. That is not good news

No AC here and I looked at midnight last night and it was still 81.4 degrees! (85 in house) I finally fell asleep at about 2. Now here at 8 AM it is 79.9 and 86% humidity, (81 in house). So guess I will do even less today than I did yesterday. At least I can get outside in the shade and have fans. Keep cool everyone.

[Divernan]

6. Heat stroke is a medical emergency - can kill you quickly!

I'm forwarding this helpful and important info from an earlier post by DUer nadinbrzezinski

Signs and symtoms of heat injuries

HEAT EXHAUSTION
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include profuse sweating, weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, lightheadedness, and muscle cramps.

Go to a cooler place, take a shower, drink plenty of liquids, and yes include gatorate or other sports drinks. You are losing electrolytes as well

HEAT STROKE, is a medical emergency... body temps rise, and rise fast... this is a true medical emergency. Different people may have different symptoms and signs of heatstroke. Common symptoms and signs of heat stroke include:

high body temperature,
the absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin,
rapid pulse,
difficulty breathing,
strange behavior,
hallucinations,
confusion,
agitation,
disorientation,
seizure, and/or
coma.

http://www.medicinenet.com/heat_stroke/article.htm

Please, check on your neighbors. The elderly and kids (or those working outside) are at the most risk. Make sure to drink plenty of water. if you develop a mild dull headache assume you need to drink water to avoid getting into the stroke situation. Gatorade or some other drink with electrolytes are excellent. Caffeinated beverages do not count in this case, really. As temping as a cold beer might be, alcohol will really dehydrate you.

Don't forget your pets. Animals should not be left out in the sun - ideally you can bring them into an air-conditioned setting, but if not, at least make sure they have plenty of fresh water and shade. I'm putting out extra "critter food" for my resident chipmunks, rabbits, squirrels and birds, along with a birdbath full of water, which I change out several times a day because it gets too hot to drink! In this heat animals don't have much energy to go foraging, and they sure have been crowding around to eat.

[sunwyn]

3. We have no AC only fans. It has been brutal.

I have Lyme and temp extremes really irritate it. My mom is 77 and is having rough. Thank goodness we have fans!

[moc]

4. Here in Dallas, where daytime highs have only dipped below 100 three times in the last month

many families can only afford to run their air conditioners at night. I have staff out in the field doing home visits with low income families, and some of my staff are getting sick from being out in the heat. You can imagine what it's like for families that don't have any respite. Last night's nighttime low was 86 degrees.

[malaise]

5. There is no climate change

Get over it :sarcasm:

[freeplessinseattle]

7. damn. how can people keep denying what is going on?

I feel so bad for everyone suffering from that horrible heat. We have had unseasonably cool weather here, and people are bummed, but would not trade places and be in misery. how awful.