Disasters explained: tornadoes
Read everything you need to know about these violent storms also known as twisters.
Heatwaves and intense hot weather can be extremely dangerous for people.
In fact, it’s one of the most dangerous types of weather-related hazards, with 166,000 people dying from extreme hot weather between 1997-2017. It can cause dehydration, blood clots and induce heatstroke.
Here, you can read and learn more about what they are, why they happen and what their link is to climate change.
Although we have never needed to respond to a heatwave, ShelterBox provides emergency shelter following different types of disasters. This includes droughts, tropical storms and other climate related disasters.
What is a heatwave and why does it happen?
Does climate change cause heatwaves?
A heatwave is a period of unusually hot weather, often lasting several days.
According to the Met Office, a heatwave is an extended period of hot weather relative to the expected conditions of the area at that time of year. The effects are more severe when accompanied by high humidity.
Heatwaves usually occur in the summer when we are more likely to see high pressure weather systems. High-pressure systems force air downward, trapping warm ground air in place. This force prevents air from rising and as a result there is nothing to prevent the hot air from getting hotter.
High pressure systems are slow moving and can persist for a prolonged period of time, such as days or weeks.
Heatwaves are extreme weather events. Scientists believe that climate change is making heatwaves more severe and more frequent.
A higher concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is making heatwaves more common now than before the industrial revolution. When CO2 builds up in the atmosphere, it traps in heat like a blanket, causing the Earth’s temperature to rise.
As greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase, heatwaves are expected to occur more often and at higher intensity.
Heatwaves kill thousands of people each year, while more suffer serious health impacts that can linger long after it has passed.
In fact, extreme heat kills more people in the U.S. each year than any other kind of natural hazard (source: National Geographic). In England, the NHS records an average of 2000 heat-related deaths every year.
Vulnerable groups such as very young children, the elderly and people with existing health issues are more likely to experience the impacts of extreme heat because they find it harder to maintain their core body temperature.
Moreover, heatwaves can put a strain on health and emergency services. People are more likely to use more water and energy to run electric cooling systems such as air conditioning units or fans. This increases strain on water, energy and transportation that can cause power shortages or even blackouts. Extreme heat can also affect food security and livelihoods, with crops and livestock being compromised.
There are several simple things you can do to protect yourself during a heatwave.
Follow advice from health authorities such as the NHS for more tips on how to cope during a heatwave.
Sources and references: Met Office, WHO, National Geographic, New York Times, BBC, NHS.
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