HeatRisk provides a more comprehensive assessment of how heat will impact the public compared to the heat index, which has been used by the NWS since 1979. HeatRisk takes into account factors such as daytime and nighttime temperatures, duration of “unusual” heat, air quality, health thresholds, and how the heat will impact urban areas and lower-income communities that may not have access to air-conditioning or cooling centers. Elevated temperatures at night, when people typically have a break from the heat, can worsen discomfort and health problems for those without access to cooling. The National Weather Service will issue alerts depending on the severity of the heat, and users will receive notifications in the same manner they would for a storm warning or flood watch. Coming off a summer where two-thirds of the country saw heat alerts in addition to a record-setting year for global warmth, this tool will prove extremely valuable protecting people and their families. Millions of Americans are impacted from heat waves each year due to climate change and the El Nino weather pattern, a trend that is likely to continue this summer. Heatwaves have become more frequent, intense, and last for longer durations.
New Heat Warning Tool Unveiled to Help Americans Stay Safe
