New Resources to Combat Extreme Heat Hazards Unveiled by Federal Agencies
In response to the increasing frequency and severity of heat waves due to climate change, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have introduced a range of resources to safeguard the American population from the dangers of extreme heat.
These resources include the experimental “HeatRisk” system from NOAA, which provides a seven-day heat forecast with color-coded risk levels. Users can access this forecast for their specific location to assess the potential heat-related risks and humidity in their area.
The CDC has also launched a dashboard that enables users to input their zip code and obtain real-time and forecasted heat risk and air quality information. Together, these tools empower individuals to identify cool spaces, recognize symptoms of heat-related illnesses, and understand the interactions between heat and medications.
The CDC director, Mandy Cohen, emphasized the importance of these resources in preventing heat-related illnesses and deaths, which claim more lives in the U.S. yearly than any other extreme weather event.
NOAA officials anticipate above-average temperatures in much of the U.S. during the summer months, highlighting the urgency of preparedness. NOAA administrator Rick Spinrad encouraged individuals to use these tools to plan and adjust their activities to minimize heat exposure.
The HeatRisk tool, initially developed for California in 2013, has been expanded to cover all Western states and is now available experimentally across the contiguous U.S. Members of the public are invited to provide feedback on the tool to the National Weather Service.
These resources represent a comprehensive effort by federal agencies to safeguard vulnerable populations, including seniors, pregnant women, individuals with asthma, and those with underlying health conditions, from the increasing threats posed by extreme heat.
