Warming temperatures at night leave little chance to cool off
It’s that time of the year when we see sweltering afternoon temperatures, increasing humidity levels, and the near-constant chance of pop-up showers and storms.
Summer has arrived, and with it comes the extra importance of staying hydrated and taking breaks in the shade. Heat-related illness is a big concern if you push too hard without cooling off.
An important factor related to the possibility of heat-related illness is the fact that we have seen an increase, on average, of nighttime temperatures across the United States and, specifically, in the Triangle.
When we look at the United States from the period of 1970-2022, there is an average nighttime temperature increase of nearly 3 degrees. While this may not sound like a lot, this rise can have important implications if we continue this trend.
One important risk is the possibility of being unable to cool off from the sweltering daytime high temperatures. This factor could potentially prolong heat-related illness/stress and lead to other health problems.
Closer to home, when we look at the Triangle, we have seen an even greater increase. Nighttime average temperatures are about 4.3 degrees warmer now compared to 1970.
When looking at the trends, it is important to remember that there will be ups and downs year-to-year. Overall, though, the warming trend does not look to be letting up any time soon. As such, make sure to keep hydration and rest at the top of mind as we make our way through these summertime months.
