Heat Waves in Western Europe, U.S., Summer 2022

[anneg]

https://wapo.st/3aR9psb

I posted this link as a gift article, so it should be accessible (no paywall). There are interesting maps if you visit the page.

ETA: here is the full link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/clim...7/18/heatwave-europe-unitedstates-records-uk/

A historic and deadly heat wave has been scorching western Europe, killing hundreds in Spain and Portugal. Temperatures spiked to 115 degrees on the Iberian Peninsula amid bone-dry conditions, fueling wildfires and displacing thousands of people in France. The mercury topped 100 degrees (38 Celsius) in Britain on Monday and is expected to surge higher Tuesday.

For the first time, the U.K. Met Office has issued a red warning for heat, its most extreme alert. The warning, in effect through Tuesday, includes Birmingham, Oxford, Nottingham and London....

At the same time, another heat wave is brewing across the pond in the United States — one that produced a tie for Salt Lake City’s highest temperature Sunday and could bring readings as high as 113 degrees in Texas and Oklahoma on Tuesday....

 

[kadman]

When you're not used to the heat, it's ugly. As I get older I seem to like the heat less and less. Loved it as a kid, temps often over 40 degrees Celsius in summer, but now I like the colder weather better.

 

[Springrain]

Last summer, the Pacific Northwest (WA and BC) was hit by a heat wave just like this one that killed many. It was horrible! People and animals were dying and suffering non-lethal heatstroke left and right, just like this situation. These weather situations are no joke. I'm in WA close to the BC border, it was an awful time. Nobody here has air conditioning or is prepared for this kind of weather. Extreme heat and cold in areas not prepared for or used to it are lethal emergency situations (also see the horrible situation with the snow in TX last year).

Right after the heat wave I went to visit my family in Los Angeles and it was 20 degrees cooler than it had just been in the northernmost area of the continental US! Shocking!

 

[anneg]

When you're not used to the heat, it's ugly. As I get older I seem to like the heat less and less. Loved it as a kid, temps often over 40 degrees Celsius in summer, but now I like the colder weather better.

As long as our air conditioning works, I'm OK with NC's typical summer hot and humid weather, but I don't spend much time outdoors! One thing that worries me is warmer temperatures at night, making it harder to sleep if you don't have A/C:
Hot weather could be getting in the way of good sleep, a new study finds

 

[anneg]

Last summer, the Pacific Northwest (WA and BC) was hit by a heat wave just like this one that killed many. It was horrible! People and animals were dying and suffering non-lethal heatstroke left and right, just like this situation. These weather situations are no joke. I'm in WA close to the BC border, it was an awful time. Nobody here has air conditioning or is prepared for this kind of weather. Extreme heat and cold in areas not prepared for or used to it are lethal emergency situations (also see the horrible situation with the snow in TX last year).

Right after the heat wave I went to visit my family in Los Angeles and it was 20 degrees cooler than it had just been in the northernmost area of the continental US! Shocking!

I remember that awful heat wave. DH is from Oregon and he has relatives there, so we were paying attention to what was going on. Fortunately, they have air conditioning and they got through it all right.

 

[anneg]

Here's an article from last year about the heat wave in British Columbia:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/nighttime-temperatures-climate-change-1.6112778

During the heat wave that suffocated British Columbia at the end of June into the first week of July, more than 800 people (as of this writing) died in the province. For comparison, in the same period last year, there were 232 deaths, according to B.C. Coroners Service's chief medical officer, Dr. Jatinder Baidwan....

While we know that daytime temperatures are rising, in some regions — specifically in parts of Ontario and Quebec — nighttime temperatures are warming faster.

Those warmer nights mean our bodies don't have any time to cool off. For people with health issues like heart disease or asthma, for example, this can be extremely problematic and potentially deadly....

 

[anneg]

Heat wave continues in Texas...
Fort Worth/Dallas, TX

Fort Worth/Dallas, TX
Weather Forecast Office

NWS Fort Worth/Dallas​

Weather.gov > Fort Worth/Dallas, TX

• Excessive Heat Continues

Critical Fire Danger Today
Thursday: Slight Rain Chances
Another Hot Weekend Ahead
Heat Safety Reminders

Excessive heat warnings and heat advisories have been posted for North Texas and parts of Central Texas through Wednesday. The air temperatures will climb to 105 to 110 degrees in the warning area, with heat index values over 105 degrees in the advisory area. Avoid extended time outdoors, stay hydrated, and know the signs and symptoms of heat related illnesses. Remember to check the back seat!

 

[PayrollNerd]

Those maps at the link look like scorched earth. In areas that typically don't have A/C, I truly hope neighbors are checking on neighbors. We always hear of elderly or disabled people who won't open their windows due to crime. Then they die from heat stroke. Check to make sure they have a fan to move air. If the windows are double hung, open the top panel a couple inches.

In times like these, it would behoove everyone to make extra ice cubes or bag ice from your ice maker. This is because if you find someone who is overheated, take a baggie of ice and put it on each of their wrists. This cools the blood as it moves thru their body. We had to do this for landscapers when I worked at the airport. They'd come in from mowing and we get them under the A/C vent and start applying ice.

If you receive a lot of deliveries, put a small cooler with ice and water bottles by your front door. Add a sign to let the drivers know they can take a bottle for free. Many of us here in Florida do that. Some of my friends add a basket of snacks that don't melt too. Single serving sized Goldfish crackers, cookies without frosting, etc.

When I had landscapers working one summer a few years ago, I had a big tub of ice with sports drinks, teas, waters, fruit juices, etc. You don't need a laborer passing out on your property. Take good care of each other!

 

[Skigh]

It is very hot here in the U.K. Most homes do not have air conditioning.

UK heatwave: Wildfires destroy houses on hottest day on record

Firefighters have described blazes tearing through homes and buildings as 'absolute hell' - with residents who tried to save their homes evacuated.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[spangled]

It is very hot here in the U.K. Most homes do not have air conditioning.

UK heatwave: Wildfires destroy houses on hottest day on record

Firefighters have described blazes tearing through homes and buildings as 'absolute hell' - with residents who tried to save their homes evacuated.

www.dailymail.co.uk

I'm in the UK too, southern England. I don't know anyone with aircon, I don't even have a fan!

Been incredibly hot here, we're just not set up for it.

 

[anneg]

Those maps at the link look like scorched earth. In areas that typically don't have A/C, I truly hope neighbors are checking on neighbors. We always hear of elderly or disabled people who won't open their windows due to crime. Then they die from heat stroke. Check to make sure they have a fan to move air. If the windows are double hung, open the top panel a couple inches.

In times like these, it would behoove everyone to make extra ice cubes or bag ice from your ice maker. This is because if you find someone who is overheated, take a baggie of ice and put it on each of their wrists. This cools the blood as it moves thru their body. We had to do this for landscapers when I worked at the airport. They'd come in from mowing and we get them under the A/C vent and start applying ice.

If you receive a lot of deliveries, put a small cooler with ice and water bottles by your front door. Add a sign to let the drivers know they can take a bottle for free. Many of us here in Florida do that. Some of my friends add a basket of snacks that don't melt too. Single serving sized Goldfish crackers, cookies without frosting, etc.

When I had landscapers working one summer a few years ago, I had a big tub of ice with sports drinks, teas, waters, fruit juices, etc. You don't need a laborer passing out on your property. Take good care of each other!

Wonderful advice! Very important for anyone outside in hot weather to stay hydrated.

 

[anneg]

I'm in the UK too, southern England. I don't know anyone with aircon, I don't even have a fan!

Been incredibly hot here, we're just not set up for it.

How are you coping with the heat?

 

[anneg]

It is very hot here in the U.K. Most homes do not have air conditioning.

UK heatwave: Wildfires destroy houses on hottest day on record

Firefighters have described blazes tearing through homes and buildings as 'absolute hell' - with residents who tried to save their homes evacuated.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Are window air conditioning units available? Being able to cool a bedroom would be very helpful for sleeping.

From the article:
Wildfires broke out across southern England today as Britain experienced its hottest day on record with temperatures soaring past 40C (104F) amid growing rail travel chaos as schools shut again in the extreme heat.

A huge grass blaze broke out in Wennington, East London, and appeared to have destroyed at least two houses - while major fires also took hold of nearby land in Upminster and across the Thames at Dartford in Kent; on a day when millions of people were working from home. There was also a major gorse blaze at Zennor in Cornwall.

The mercury hit an unprecedented 40.2C (104.4F) at Heathrow Airport at 12.50pm - around an hour after a reading of 39.1C (102.4F) in Charlwood, Surrey, beat the previous all-time UK high of 38.7C (101.7F) in Cambridge in July 2019. In third place is 38.5C (101.3F) in Kent in August 2003, and 38.1C (100.6F) in Suffolk yesterday is fourth....

The extreme heat has been caused by a plume of hot air from north Africa and the Sahara and an 'Azores High' subtropical pressure system creeping further north than usual - which experts say is a result of climate change.

Forecasters said an absolute maximum of 43C (109F) is possible later on - and the highs in England are equal to the warmest spots anywhere in Europe today. The UK is also hotter than Jamaica, the Maldives and Barbados.

 

[spangled]

How are you coping with the heat?

By drinking lots of water and not moving too quickly! Feel very sluggish at work and been having to sleep downstairs this last week, it's marginally cooler.

 

[Fika]

So I’m visiting friends in Spain now ( Madrid) and it’s hell, impossible to get out of the house luckily they have ac.
I live in Sweden but heat is coming there too 31 c tomorrow and I’m flying tonight back home

 

[Skigh]

How are you coping with the heat?

I have filled the bath with cold water and have been having frequent quick dips in it.

It is forecast to be cooler later this evening,so hopefully the extremely high temperatures are now coming to an end.

 

[PayrollNerd]

If you have access to ice this article has a few ideas.

4 brilliant fan tricks to help cool your room during the hot weather

Using items you already have at home

www.housebeautiful.com

 

[anneg]

If you have access to ice this article has a few ideas.

4 brilliant fan tricks to help cool your room during the hot weather

Using items you already have at home

www.housebeautiful.com

This article links to this article (see below), which includes additional tips:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk...ice/a688759/how-to-make-your-fan-even-better/

 

[Springrain]

I have filled the bath with cold water and have been having frequent quick dips in it.

It is forecast to be cooler later this evening,so hopefully the extremely high temperatures are now coming to an end.

From my adventures with the horrid PNW heatwave last year, I recommend taking dishtowels and rags, soaking them in cold water, putting them in fridge/freezer (if you do freezer be careful to avoid hurting yourself with direct skin contact) and using them to cool off.

 

[anneg]

From my adventures with the horrid PNW heatwave last year, I recommend taking dishtowels and rags, soaking them in cold water, putting them in fridge/freezer (if you do freezer be careful to avoid hurting yourself with direct skin contact) and using them to cool off.

This tip reminded me---
When my mother was a young woman in the 1930s, she worked for a while as a live-in maid for a wealthy family. The live-in female staff (except the cook) were housed in the home's attic, which would get quite hot in the summer. She said to be able to sleep during hot weather, she had to soak towels in cold water, wring them out, and lie with them draped over her.