Did you know that summer heat waves are much more lethal to large populationsthan winter cold waves and hundreds, if not thousands, of lives are lost whenthey occur? Take the extreme, prolonged heat in Russia last summer that was atleast partially responsible for more than 50,000 deaths. Also, right here inthe United States somewhere between 5,000 and 15,000 lives were lost due to theextremely hot summer of 1988.It doesn't take long for the human body to overheat when the RealFeeltemperature soars above 100 degrees. Extremely high temperatures and highhumidity can produce heat exhaustion, heat stroke and even death in relativelyshort order.
This holiday weekend, hot weather will be widespread across the United Stateswith 90-degree temperatures expected from the intermountain region to theEastern Seaboard. The hottest weather will occur in the deserts of theSouthwest where it will get above 110 each day. Another core of heat will belocated through the southern Great Plains with highs at or just above 100.
To beat the heat take it easy, stay out of the direct sun if possible and drinkplenty of water.
Story by AccuWeather.com senior Meteorologist John Kocet.
