More than 90 heat records could fall this week — mostly overnight
by The Washington Times AI News Desk · The Washington TimesYes, the heat is dangerous even after dark — and this week could bring more than 90 broken temperature records across the country, the National Weather Service says. Most of the records set through Wednesday will be overnight lows that don’t dip nearly low enough to give bodies a break.
That matters because doctors say heat that lingers into the night is more dangerous than a scorching afternoon. Without cooler nighttime air, the body’s core temperature never gets a chance to recover, according to University of Georgia meteorology professor Marshall Shepherd.
“That’s where the health outcomes are amplified, particularly for the elderly and vulnerable communities,” Mr. Shepherd said.
Cities including Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Charleston, South Carolina, won’t drop below 80 degrees at night this week. Even normally cold-weather cities such as Fargo, North Dakota, and Portland, Maine, will stay above 70 degrees overnight.
The heat’s toll can also take time to show up. University of Washington public health scientist Kristie Ebi said Monday that “mortality starts the second or third day” once a person’s body can no longer cool down.
Warning signs include heavy sweating, cramps and headaches. Ms. Ebi urged people to be proactive — find air conditioning, use a fan, soak a towel in cold water, or simply check on older friends and neighbors before symptoms turn serious.
Read more:
• No relief from the heat as many U.S. cities will see record overnight temperatures
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