In an effort to combat the rising number of heat-related deaths and the increasing frequency and severity of heat waves, U.S. agencies have developed HeatRisk, a tool that provides forecasts and risk levels for zip codes across the U.S. HeatRisk combines weather and climate data with health information to help people prepare for and avoid the dangers of extreme heat.
The development of HeatRisk was prompted by the alarming statistics surrounding heat-related deaths. In 2023, the U.S. experienced its warmest year on record, with a record number of heat-related deaths in some cities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than two-thirds of Americans were under heat alerts in 2023, and heat is consistently the leading weather-related killer each year, claiming twice as many lives as floods, lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, and cold combined.
HeatRisk includes a seven-day forecast that alerts people when temperatures could reach dangerous levels. It also provides a dashboard that combines the forecast with air quality data to give a risk level from “no risk” to “extreme” for each zip code. The risk level takes into account how unusual the heat is for the time of year and the duration of the heat, including day and night temperatures.
In addition to the forecast and risk level, HeatRisk also includes guidance for caregivers and medical professionals on how to help vulnerable populations stay safe in hot weather. This guidance focuses on people with asthma, pregnant women, and people with cardiovascular disease, who are more sensitive to the effects of heat.
Heat-related illnesses are cumulative, meaning the risk rises after several days of a heat wave, especially when nighttime temperatures don’t cool down. Heat exposure can lead to heat-related illness, exacerbate underlying health conditions, and even lead to mental health issues and adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes.
A recent report in the journal Lancet projected that heat-related deaths worldwide are expected to increase dramatically in the coming decades, particularly among people over 65. In the past decade, each person experienced an average of 86 days of health-threatening heat per year.
The HeatRisk tool is a valuable resource for individuals and communities to prepare for and mitigate the risks associated with extreme heat. By providing accurate forecasts and risk levels, as well as guidance on how to stay safe, HeatRisk can help reduce heat-related illnesses and deaths.
