Extreme Heat Warnings: A Life-Threatening Hazard
NOAA Issues Warnings and Advisories for Dangerous Conditions
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plays a vital role in monitoring and issuing extreme heat warnings and advisories. An excessive heat warning is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions. The general rule of thumb for issuing this warning is when the heat index value is expected to reach or exceed 105°F (40.6°C) for at least two consecutive days.
Heat Advisories: A Lower Threshold, But Still Dangerous
NOAA also issues heat advisories when weather conditions pose an imminent threat to life. These advisories are issued when the heat index value is expected to reach or exceed 103°F (39.4°C) for at least two consecutive days.
India Faces Devastating Heatwave
A severe heatwave continues to grip India, with eight more deaths reported in the eastern state of Odisha on Monday. The heatwave has caused widespread power outages and water shortages, and has disrupted daily life for millions of people.
Heat-Related Illnesses and Deaths are Preventable
Heat-related illnesses and deaths are largely preventable with proper planning, education, and action. Heatgov serves as the premier source of heat and health information, providing resources and guidance to help people stay safe during extreme heat.
NWS HeatRisk Index: Predicting Heat Hazards
The NWS HeatRisk is an experimental color-numeric-based index that provides a quantitative estimate of the potential heat risk for a given location. This index is based on a combination of temperature, humidity, and wind speed data, and can help people make informed decisions about how to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses.
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