Not expecting activity on this thread...just thought good to post since we all can't refuse going outside to pluck that weed or spray that bug!


Some of the hottest temperatures of the summer are expected this week

Heat kills more people in the United States than all other natural disasters combined

The dog days of summer are hitting hard this year, and forecasters warn that some of the hottest temperatures of the season may sear a large portion of the United States this week.

Very high humidity is expected to accompany the heat, especially in the Midwest, and that moisture -- combined with the high temperatures -- will create what's known as a "heat dome" over most of the country. Only the Northwest will be spared.
Those conditions could be deadly. Forecasters say the heat index, which measures what the temperature really feels like when you add in the humidity -- the summer equivalent of the winter wind chill -- will likely reach the dangerous category, increasing the risks of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and death.
What it actually feels like outside when you take into account the humidity and high temperature.

What it actually feels like outside when you take into account the humidity and high temperature:

Cities such as Des Moines, Kansas City, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City and Chicago are expected to see temperatures nearing or exceeding 100 degrees -- and when humidity is added in, the heat index may rise to a dangerous 120 degrees.
Heat is one of the deadliest weather events, killing hundreds of people every year. Extreme heat results in even more heat-related illnesses.

When extreme heat is combined with elevated humidity, it can be exceptionally dangerous. High humidity slows evaporation -- or sweating -- which is the body's cooling mechanism. If the body can't properly cool down, heat exhaustion is likely within as little as an hour. Because men sweat more than women, men are more susceptible to heat illness because they become dehydrated more quickly.

A heat dome can lead to dangerous heat waves.
A heat dome can lead to dangerous heat waves.
Chicago heat wave
In 1995, Chicago experienced its worst heat wave ever recorded. During a 5-day period in mid-July, at least 465 people died from the heat and hundreds more suffered from heat-related illnesses.
The temperature reached 106 degrees at Midway Airport on the first day of the heat wave, and remained at or above 100 degrees for seven hours.

The high humidity levels made this heat wave particularly severe. Dew points were in the upper 70s to 80 degrees, making the temperature feel like 125. On top of the heat, the lake breeze that usually rolls off of Lake Michigan was absent. Air conditioners ran almost non-stop, causing a 2-day power outage and leaving 49,000 households miserable and in the dark. Chicago was described as a city "roasting under a wool blanket".
Many people who died lived in brick buildings, which trapped the heat inside. Some people feared opening their windows because of Chicago's high crime rate. Refrigerated trucks had to be brought in to help overwhelmed morgues. Roads buckled and drawbridges had to be hosed down to close properly.
During that same year, more than 1,000 people died from the heat across the United States, making it the deadliest year for heat fatalities in more than 30 years. Chicago's heat wave was responsible for nearly half of those deaths.


CORN SWEAT could be to blame
When you think of areas with high heat and humidity, you may think of Miami, New Orleans or Houston, not Chicago. But the Windy City and other Midwest cities such as St. Louis, Kansas City and Minneapolis can get very humid, especially during a summer heat wave.

Humidity levels increase across the plains in the summer months due to evapotranspiration.
Humidity levels increase across the plains in the summer months due to evapotranspiration.

One of your favorite veggies could be partly to blame. Densely planted corn fields in the Midwest have been known to boost dew points -- an indicator that meteorologists use to measure the amount of moisture in the atmosphere -- to levels that are usually only found in the tropics. The corn crops pull moisture from the soil and some of that moisture escapes into the atmosphere, literally forming a very high "pool" of moisture. This can unfold on a grand scale in the Midwest, known as the nation's corn belt, leading to very high heat index values and misery for millions of people.

URBAN HEAT ISLAND
Half of the world's population lives in an urban heat island, a term that might conjure up images of a tropical paradise complete with palm trees and tiki bars. But it's quite the opposite: Urban heat islands are metropolitan areas that swelter due to a more dense infrastructure and more paved roads, both of which absorb more heat. These factors, combined with pollution from human activities, result in an urban heat island.
These areas can run 5 degrees warmer during the day and as high as 20 degrees warmer at night. Some communities have started trying to reduce the urban heat island effect by planting more vegetation in urban areas, using cooler pavement material and installing roofs that reflect more sunlight than they absorb. By the year 2030, the number of people living in an urban heat island could increase by 70%.

When nighttime brings no relief
It seems counterintuitive, but the temperatures overnight may actually be just as dangerous, or even more dangerous than when temperatures are highest during the day. Studies show that when temperatures don't cool off at night, and especially when they remain above 80 degrees, your body, which should be in recovery mode, can't recover. The results of not being able to fully cool down can be deadly.

Another surprising fact is that most heat-related deaths don't occur in the hottest weather zones. People in those regions are more equipped to deal with the heat, with better infrastructure, building materials, and access to air conditioning.

Beating the heat
Heat stroke can happen very quickly after heat exhaustion settles in.
Heat stroke can happen very quickly after heat exhaustion settles in.

STRATEGIES

Drink plenty of water. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine, which will only dehydrate you faster.
Eat light meals. Avoid heavy meals that are high in protein, which cause the body to work harder to digest. Eat more carbohydrates so your body doesn't have to use as much energy to digest.
Wear light-colored clothing, which will reflect sunlight instead of absorbing it. It could keep your body temperature down several degrees.
Studies show the best clothes to wear while exercising are none at all! This is because air needs to flow over your skin in order for sweat to cool you off -- as much of it as possible. But if that's not an option, loose-fitting clothing is your next best bet.
Find an air conditioned place to get out of the heat. In temperatures above 80 degrees, fans won't do you any good -- they just blow more hot air around.
CNN Meteorologist Brendan Johnson contributed to this report

Thanks for the reminder!! This is good info for everyone to be aware of with the heat really settling in now.

Wear hats when outside in the heat & sun, use sunscreen. Limit your time outside. Especially children. And if it helps, my 5 skin cancers resulted mostly from the first half of my life...think on THAT. Some things can't be undone later in life, although you can try not to add to the damage done already.

Some things I'm doomed to repeat.

Important...sunglasses...eyes can be damaged by sun from burns to cataracts to cancers. Start eye protection young

Also for heat..activities early morn... And Late day ..lots of water and breaks

Cotton / natural fibers to allow moisture to evap

Dont eat big meals...keep your blood flow directed to heart with activities

Know the signs of heat stroke so you can be watchful

I love breathable cotton in the summer. I always heard to wear natural fibers in the heat. It's getting harder to find as manufacturers tout the usefulness of cheap synthetics and their "wicking ability". There is no such thing as moisture wicking in Houston's humidity! I tell you what!

A lot of athletic gear are made of knits and synthetics. Again, claiming this wicking away of moisture crap. I wore them on the tennis court in 90 degrees and about died of heat stroke. I would have been cooler wrapped in Saran Wrap! I wear synthetics in the winter. They are more capable of keeping me warm.

I went to a North Face store looking for cotton shorts. I had a pair from years ago and LOVE them! I found one style in the whole store that wasn't a synthetic/polyester. And the print would make my butt look like a giraffe from behind! There was one pair of blue chambray-like. It was on sale I bought it. But even that had 10% elastane. What are they doing with all that cotton we used to grow??

Heat can sneak up on you.
I was out fixing my sunken pavers today.
It was not that bad, humidity not temp. were nasty, but rain looked like it was coming so I put everything in high gear.
I was covered in sand and cement dust and after carrying fifty pound bags of sand and cement to put them away but I also picked the bad leaves off of my tomatoes and put serenade on them.
Carrying a five gallon pail full of solution and fighting mosquitoes, my hands were still covered with dust so when I swatted, it was more put my hand on my shoulder and ran it down to my wrist to get them all. I smeared crap all over me.

I felt tired and as I had on only sleeveless shirt and shorts I felt miserable so I figured a good hot bath would get the grime off and eliminate the mosquito bite annoyance.
It was a hot, hot bath, the kind where you get in very slowly and then wonder if maybe it is so hot you should get the hell out now.
Well I soaked for about a hour, and then thought I am no longer sweating when I should be and the water was still very warm.

I had done this to my self before fortunately so I had an idea what might happen; I got out of the tub and sat on the edge of it and felt like just lying down on the rug, totally exhausted and started to get white outs so I went over to the shower turned it on and let cool of water run over all parts of me.

I kept making the water cooler, and finally let it run over my head and down my back in a manner that hit as much of me as possible.
I got out of the shower and without drying at all turned the fan in the bedroom on high, turned air-conditioner fan up high and laid on the bed for another half-hour.

I should have known better as I said, I have done this before but sometimes when you feel dirty and miserable logic goes out the door.

The first time it ever happened to me twenty or so years ago, I took a very, very hot shower and when I started to get white flashes and did not feel good at all, I turned the shower off, stepped out and fell flat on the floor.
I crawled back in and turned the shower on cold and sat there for a bit.

As I said, this type of over heating can sneak up on you. There have been a few times at the gym I sat in the hot tub, it used to hotter than it is now, new gym owner, and even though I did not feel poorly, I knew something was not right.
I usually get back to the shower before the white flashes hit and stand in a cool to cold shower till they stop.

@RpR Those white flashes should be your warning and save your life. Heat stroke can be life threatening! I have suffered heat exhaustion and it isn't pretty either! Mine couples with low blood sugar. Both affect brain function. On the tennis courts my clue is I can't remember the score from point to point. A home, I just feel dizzy. Listen to your clues for your own safety then work fast to cool your body temperature down.

Hydrate continuously.

@shadygeeenthumb

Amazon is where I go so I can tailor my specs.
Dont have trouble finding what I need
REI too. - the store and online

I buy bamboo and or cotton
Cotton less expensive but
Nothing beats bamboo to sleep ...coooooool

MISSINGROSIE said:Hydrate continuously.

That is a problem that has mystified me for years.
When I work in heat, I really have no desire for liquids, even if I take some with me.

At night though, I sleep with jugs, any where from twenty to thirty ounces of water and often empty one and one-half.
I now put one in the freezer and take it to bed with me when it is half frozen.
That one is usually empty within a few hours.

Even when I landscaped for a living food and water was not something I desired while working.
I give plasma at a service and they often tell me I am dehydrated.
Go figure.

There are thirst mechanisms at work to keep homeostasis ....perhaps yours are quirky.

You need a wrist device that vibrates at set times saying "drink" on those outside days

Your body holds the water in because it knows you are sweating. I used to go all day at tennis tournaments, drink tons of Gatorade and water and pee maybe once all day. And when I did it was very concentrated because my body took the water part of it to use. Ok TMI. On very hot days, with long exposure to heat, water isn't enough. Our body loses electrolytes. Drinks like Gatorade helps replenish those.

I had heat exhaustion 6 years ago and ended up in the ER and got 2 liters of fluid. I have not been the same since. Seriously, tho...........I find I cannot tolerate the high temps any more. Couple that with my being the "Queen of Hormonal Imbalance" and i can get pretty overheated pretty quick. :>) I think the Spousal Unit believes that it's not REALLY as bad as I say it is sometimes, so I just don't say much about it unless I REALLY start to sweat and feel kinda yucky. Then I say "I gotta go get in the shade, I'm gettin' too hot". I find that I can function best as a human at about 70 degrees. Before anyone says "Oh, you must LOVE winter..........". Nope, hate cold weather with a passion. Always have, and as I get older I hate it more. I've always said that when my ancestors came over on the boat, just WHY they stopped here.............couldn't they have gone on to California, Texas, or Hawaii????? LOL I cannot fathom the people that live in Alaska. Must have anti-freeze in their veins.

I lost a 35 lbs at one time then another 15 lbs later. It took my body years to adjust. I was cold all the time. I carried a sweater everywhere I went. I have been able to maintain my weight with fluctuations here and there. Since it takes a considerable amount of weight to lose to get this effect albeit temporary, I am thinking if I plan on losing another 20lbs (sounds impossible!) by next summer I should be as cool as a cucumber!! Just think of it! Me in a size 2!

Wow..that is a lot of weight.

I am always cold too. I can wear long sleeves and sweater when summer hits the 90's no issues.

I used to be a size 4 ..never a two. I would settle for a steady 8

I don't need to drop that low. Size 2 on my frame would make me look emaciated! Just trying to beat the heat. I stay between size 8-10. But size 6-8 I could do...as soon as I'm off vacation!

With my menopausal issues, I wear tank tops even in the winter.

Texas has some really serious heat! Unless you could just hole up inside in the A/C a good part of the year, you might not be able to tolerate it. Parts of the state has high humidity, parts tend to be more low humidity. Our 70's days don't last that long, I'm afraid. I'd settle for low 80's, but not enough of those either. These days we're in the high 90's.

AnnaZ said:I had heat exhaustion 6 years ago and ended up in the ER and got 2 liters of fluid. I have not been the same since. Seriously, tho...........I find I cannot tolerate the high temps any more. Couple that with my being the "Queen of Hormonal Imbalance" and i can get pretty overheated pretty quick. :>) I think the Spousal Unit believes that it's not REALLY as bad as I say it is sometimes, so I just don't say much about it unless I REALLY start to sweat and feel kinda yucky. Then I say "I gotta go get in the shade, I'm gettin' too hot". I find that I can function best as a human at about 70 degrees. Before anyone says "Oh, you must LOVE winter..........". Nope, hate cold weather with a passion. Always have, and as I get older I hate it more. I've always said that when my ancestors came over on the boat, just WHY they stopped here.............couldn't they have gone on to California, Texas, or Hawaii????? LOL I cannot fathom the people that live in Alaska. Must have anti-freeze in their veins.

I find if I stay inside in the comfort of A/C all the time, I tolerate the heat and humidity less. If I expose myself to the heat slowly starting early in the season, safely, taking breaks, lots of liquids etc, I do fine in the heat . That doesn't mean I don't sweat. Heat and humidity is a problem, especially when I have to dress up for work in panty hose!