Changes to Weather Alerts for Impending Heat
(NEXSTAR) — It may be hard to think about sweltering temperatures in early March, but the National Weather Service is already rolling out changes to the weather alerts used to alert us to the dangers of impending heat.
You may be familiar with “Excessive Heat Watches” and “Excessive Heat Warnings,” issued when potentially dangerous heat conditions are in the forecast. Starting this month, those alerts will be no more — sort of.
Like it did with wind chill alerts in fall, the National Weather Service is adjusting the names of its heat watch and warning alert. Instead, dangerous heat conditions will trigger an “Extreme Heat Watch” or an “Extreme Heat Warning.”
What’s Changing and Why
The guidelines are the same as when they were considered “Excessive” alerts.
An Extreme Heat Watch can be issued when “conditions are favorable for an extreme heat event but its occurrence and timing is still uncertain.” Guidance from the National Weather Service encourages rescheduling outdoor events and ensuring the most vulnerable — children, the elderly, and pets — have a place to stay cool when watches like this are issued.
When “extremely dangerous heat conditions are expected or occurring,” an Extreme Heat Warning is issued. You may be encouraged to avoid outdoor activities, remain hydrated, and stay in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible.
Hazard Simplification Project
Renaming the heat watch and warning is part of NWS’s Hazard Simplification Project, which is intended to “better convey that heat is dangerous.”
Another heat-related alert, the Heat Advisory, will not be renamed. These are issued when dangerous heat conditions are likely but not severe enough to trigger a watch or warning.
Regional Variations
The specific conditions that prompt any heat alert vary by area. The National Weather Service points to Florida, where residents are better prepared for 90-degree heat than in, say, Alaska.
In Wisconsin, for example, daytime heat index values between 100 and 104, or heat indices between 95 and 99 for four consecutive days, can activate a heat advisory from the local National Weather Service office. An extreme heat warning can be activated if the daytime heat index will be 105 or higher or 75 or higher at night for at least 48 hours.
HeatRisk Tool
The NWS also provides a HeatRisk tool, a five-point scale that ranks the risk of heat-related impacts nationwide. It takes into account how unusual the high temperatures are for the time of year, how long the heat will last through the day and night, and if the temperatures “pose an elevated risk of heat-related impacts” according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Importance of Awareness
Understanding these changes and being aware of the heat alerts in your area can help you stay safe during extreme heat events. By knowing the difference between an Extreme Heat Watch and an Extreme Heat Warning, you can take necessary precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the National Weather Service is making changes to its heat-related alerts to better convey the dangers of extreme heat. By understanding these changes and staying informed, you can stay safe during heat events and protect those who are most vulnerable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between an Extreme Heat Watch and an Extreme Heat Warning?
A: An Extreme Heat Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for an extreme heat event but its occurrence and timing is still uncertain, while an Extreme Heat Warning is issued when extremely dangerous heat conditions are expected or occurring.
Q: Why are the heat alerts changing?
A: The heat alerts are changing as part of the National Weather Service’s Hazard Simplification Project, which aims to better convey the dangers of extreme heat.
Q: How do I stay safe during an extreme heat event?
A: To stay safe during an extreme heat event, avoid outdoor activities, remain hydrated, and stay in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible. You can also reschedule outdoor events and ensure that vulnerable individuals have a place to stay cool.
Q: What is the HeatRisk tool?
A: The HeatRisk tool is a five-point scale that ranks the risk of heat-related impacts nationwide, taking into account factors such as temperature, duration, and risk of heat-related impacts.
