Americans may face heightened risks of extreme heat this year, with certain regions identified as potential hotspots.
In a bid to prepare communities for the upcoming heatwave season, the National Weather Service (NWS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have collaborated to issue a national HeatRisk forecast. This forecast, which considers multiple factors, aims to predict not only temperature extremes but also the potential health impacts of heatwaves on various communities.
The HeatRisk forecast takes into account local climatology, weather forecast data, impacts on vulnerable populations, and additional risk factors. Local climatology recognises that communities adapt differently depending on their usual climate conditions. Weather forecast data involves the predicted high and low temperatures, as well as the duration of the heat event. The forecast also considers groups especially susceptible to heat-related health risks, such as older adults, young children, pregnant people, individuals with chronic health conditions or mental illness, outdoor workers, athletes exercising outdoors, and people living unsheltered or homeless. Other conditions raising heat risk include obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, poor circulation, sunburn, prescription drug, and alcohol use.
CNN, in line with this comprehensive approach, tracks extreme heat conditions and the potential risk for Americans each day. The network provides "feels like" temperature predictions for more than 800 US cities, using the national forecast map to derive these predictions for cities with a population greater than 50,000 residents. The Southeastern Regional Climate Center also has a map highlighting locations where temperatures exceeded calendar day records.
The NWS predicts that over 60 million people will be subject to heat advisories, warnings, and watches this summer. The forecast map for heat-related risks can be found on the NWS's website, with darker shades indicating areas where the average temperature has an increased chance of being warmer or cooler than usual. Gray areas are expected to be near normal in temperature.
The forecasts often hold true, with predictions breaking daily high temperature records in various locations. Moreover, the number of heat waves is increasing, becoming more intense and long-lasting as the planet warms. Over each summer, high temperatures cause spikes in emergency room visits and hundreds of heat-related deaths across the United States.
The HeatRisk forecast from the NWS and CDC factors in past effects, such as deaths, for specific locations. This comprehensive approach allows agencies and municipalities to scale their heat response actions appropriately to reduce heat-related illnesses and fatalities across the United States. The multi-day apparent temperature forecast map for the contiguous US is updated each morning, offering continuous monitoring and preparation for the coming days.
The HeatRisk forecast, beyond predicting temperature extremes, also incorporates environmental-science factors like local climatology and weather forecast data to account for potential climate-change impacts, such as longer and more intense heatwaves. To ensure awareness and preparedness, CNN tracks extreme heat conditions daily and provides "feels like" temperature predictions for multiple US cities, leveraging the National Weather Service's forecast maps.
