Intense Heat Waves Persist Across the Summer Season, with High Humidity Aggravating Discomfort Levels.
Record-Breaking Humidity Across the U.S. Amplifies Heat Risks
July 2022 witnessed an unprecedented rise in humidity levels across numerous U.S. cities and states, leading to extreme heat indices in regions such as Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, Florida, Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, and Roanoke.
This record-setting humidity, combined with high temperatures, poses serious health risks. High humidity impairs the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and those with chronic illnesses, are especially at risk. Prolonged exposure to such extreme heat and humidity can also strain cardiovascular and respiratory health, potentially leading to increased hospitalizations and mortality.
Paducah, Kentucky, experienced its longest stretch of continuously high humidity in 75 years, with extreme humidity hours exceeding typical July values by 300%. Cities like Pittsburgh, Roanoke, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., all registered their most humid July in recorded history.
These humidity and heat events are linked to climate change, driven by human activities like fossil fuel burning, which intensify heatwaves and worsen humidity conditions across the U.S.
The Iowa Environmental Mesonet tracks precipitation, soil temperatures, and atmospheric data nationwide, including humidity extremes. The National Weather Service also provides localized records and warnings related to heat and humidity impacts.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the American Public Health Association are authoritative sources for health guidance and data on heat and humidity risks.
It's worth noting that so far this year, more than 3,000 flash flood warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service, the highest number on record. In July alone, more than a dozen states in the Lower 48 had record high humidity. The Midwest, East Coast, and mid-Atlantic regions were particularly humid during the month.
A 2022 study by Climate Central found that the combination of high heat and humidity can affect the body's ability to cool itself down through sweating. The researchers wrote in their analysis that dangerous heat often occurs along with high humidity, and the pair of conditions multiplies the health risks.
[1] Iowa Environmental Mesonet [2] National Weather Service [3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [4] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [5] American Public Health Association [6] Climate Central
Environmental science and climate change are tightly connected to the unusual weather events observed in July 2022, such as the record-breaking humidity across numerous U.S. cities and states. For instance, the National Weather Service has reported an alarming number of record high humidity occurrences, especially in the Midwest, East Coast, and mid-Atlantic regions. To combat this, authoritative sources like the Iowa Environmental Mesonet, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), American Public Health Association, and Climate Central provide crucial data and guidance on heat and humidity risks, as well as regional warnings.
