Tennessee‘s first taste of summer weather has been scorching and the heat wave will continue to impact the state throughout the week.
The Northeast, Midwest, and some southern communities will be hardest hit by this heat wave, as millions of people will experience extreme temperatures in their area, reaching 100 degrees by the end of the week. Communities from Texas to Maine, including communities in Tennessee, are expected to experience a stretch of 90-plus degree days this week, according to a heat risk map from the National Weather Service.
This heat wave has raised questions about whether a heat dome is causing significant temperatures even before the first official day of summer and also raises concerns about health problems that can occur during extreme heat. Here’s everything you need to know about the heat and how to stay safe this week.
What is a ‘thermal dome’?
A thermal dome is not technically a scientific term and is a fairly new term that has gained popularity in recent years. It is a condition that occurs when a persistent region of high pressure traps heat over a given area for a period of time, according to the American Meteorological Society.
The northern part of Tennessee is right on the edge of the dome that has settled over much of the Northeast and Midwest.
What is a heatwave?
A heat wave is a period of abnormally hot weather that typically lasts more than two days, according to the National Weather Service.
Heat waves and climate change
Heat is not something new.
In the last 12 months the Earth has registered how hot it has been and that is not a good thing. What is the main driver of this record warmth?
There are many factors that can contribute to Earth’s warming, such as El Niño and La Niña, volcanic eruptions, changes in human and natural aerosol emissions, and solar activity from our sun, but in the end it all comes down to the question: human. caused climate change, according to USA Today reports and interviews with climate scientists.
“The primary reason for this notable stretch of record-breaking heat around the world is due to human-caused climate change,” Zachary Labe of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told KeynoteUSA in an email.
What is a heat advisory?
The National Weather Service will issue a heat advisory, which typically occurs when extremely dangerous heat is about to arrive and is one of several types of health alerts issued by the federal agency. A heat advisory is issued within 12 hours of the onset of these conditions.
Heat-Related Illnesses: Heat Exhaustion Versus Heat Stroke
With temperatures reaching triple digits in areas of Tennessee, people should be careful when being outside in the heat, especially the very young and old.
Extreme heat makes it difficult for the body to maintain its temperature in a normal range and can lead to a number of conditions. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are possibilities when people are outside during a very hot period. Here are the differences according to the CDC:
Heat exhaustion symptoms
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Irritability
- Thirst
- intense sweating
- Elevated body temperature
- Decreased urine production
Treatment for heat exhaustion:
- Move the person to a cooler environment, preferably a room with good air conditioning.
- Loosen clothing and apply cold, wet cloths, or have the person sit in a cold bath.
- Offer them sips of water.
- Seek immediate medical attention if the person vomits, symptoms worsen, or last more than 1 hour.
Heatstroke symptoms
- Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness (coma)
- Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating.
- Seizures
- Very high body temperature
Treatment for heat stroke:
- Call 911 or take the victim to a hospital immediately. Heat stroke is a serious medical emergency. Delay in treatment can be fatal.
- Move the person to a cooler environment, preferably with air conditioning.
- Reduce body temperature with a cold cloth or bath.
- Use a fan if heat index temperatures are below 90 degrees. A fan can make you warmer at higher temperatures.
- Do not give liquids.
Tennessee Heat Index Map
What was the hottest day in Tennessee?
According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the two hottest days on record in Tennessee occurred less than two weeks apart in 1930. Perryville, Tennessee, reached a high temperature of 113 degrees on July 29, 1930, and July 9. August 1930. .
Cheryl McCloud and USA Today contributed to this report.
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