Summer has been trending hotter, including this week in parts of the U.S. Since the 1980s, there have been 3 record temperature highs for every 2 record lows.
Of course summer is “hot” at times for much of the U.S. But a steady tick higher in average temperatures over recent decades will push Americans to rethink how to keep summer heat tolerable, fun and above all, safe.
Much of the Midwest and a swath of the South braced for a potentially dangerous and deadly heat this week, with temperatures that could reach record highs in some places and combine with humidity to make it feel like it’s 100 degrees or hotter in spots.Running air conditioning overtime — if you’re lucky enough to have it — can put a strain on the electric grid and household budgets.
Read: The top U.S. cities labeled as dangerous ‘heat islands’ include a few small-population surprises Extreme or relentless summer heat can also exacerbate poor air quality by trapping harmful pollutants close to the Earth’s surface and creating ground-level ozone. These pollutants can exacerbate respiratory issues in people with asthma and other lung diseases.