Are you following the main national weather story today — the heat? If you’re watching the mainstream media, perhaps you were unaware so much of the country is experiencing such brutal conditions (and let’s not forget the ongoing and extreme drought in Texas and the South) as they focus on the Northeast, Washington, D.C. and Chicago. This is why ImpactWeather is in business. We know that if you rely on the media for your weather information you may get a biased and likely incomplete weather picture. But I digress and I’m getting sidetracked. Let’s move on to what you can do to help protect yourself in these extreme conditions.

While traveling by motorcycle in New Hampshire a couple of weeks ago, I was wearing almost everything I had. Of course, on a motorcycle you don’t typically have room for a parka — especially in June! — but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t thinking about it. In fact, I had on a t-shirt plus a long-sleeve thermal shirt, a light sweatshirt and a fleece vest as the higher elevations were producing temperatures in the lower 50s with rain. Actually, I loved it. It was such a pleasant change of pace that for a couple of days it was wonderful. I thought of my Houston friends back home dealing with highs near 100F and I couldn’t help but smirk. However, it’s the heat that’s on so much of the country’s mind today — like it was yesterday, and as it will be tomorrow and Friday.

Red and Blue states - this time it's red for "hot" and blue for "cold." No surprise it's stinkin' hot in Texas - which means it's just another Wednesday in July. Image: NOAA

Of course, it’s mid-July and everybody expects it to be warm. But not like this! Temperatures more common-place in Texas are spreading as far north as Canada. Though you can read about the “hot forecast” on many sources from The Weather Channel to CNN, ImpactWeather and YourWeatherBlog would like to take this opportunity to remind you to take care of yourself in this oppressive heat. We’ve written about this before, but it’s the perfect opportunity to run it again. After all, you don’t have to look far to find deaths and hospitalizations from dehydration and other heat-related conditions such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion — despite the repeated warnings.

This image from NOAA shows the extent of the excessive heat. Image: NOAA

• During the hottest hours of the day, stay inside. If possible stay inside an air-conditioned building. The hottest hours of the day are typically from mid morning to mid afternoon.
• Dress lightly and when sleeping use lightweight breathable covers.
• Drink plenty of water and other fluids.
• People who live in homes with no air conditioning should keep blinds closed from morning until the late afternoon to block extra direct heat from sunlight. Also, stay on the lowest level of your home.
• Use a fan. Don’t place the fan directly in front of a window because it may push hot air in. Try placing the fan so that it blows in the room and out the window instead.
• Do not leave any person or any pet in the car while you run to do a quick errand. Car interiors overheat quickly and become like ovens. People can succumb to heat exposure and death very quickly in a hot car.

Related topics: Pool and beach safety, plus skin protection. The heat brings on additional time spent at the pool and the beach, as well as water parks. Please refresh yourself on pool and beach safety. And skin protection is a subject that’s especially close to me as I’ve had four pre-cancerous and one cancerous spot removed from my face. The experts recommend proper and frequent application of at least an SPF30, so who am I to argue? I use an SPF55 daily and reapply regularly when in the sun. For skin protection tips and information just click here and here.

The drought continues in the South. In Texas, there are burn bans in effect statewide for all but seven counties (that means there is a burn ban in effect for a whopping 247 Texas counties). Image: NOAA

And if you think it’s hot here, you can always thank your lucky stars you’re not in Libya. Or, if you’d like to remind yourself about what it’s like on the other side of the calendar click here and here for a few YWB posts from a few months ago.

It took 16 stitches (10 on the surface, six below) to remove a basal cell carcinoma* from my forehead. It hurt, but it healed nicely and I've been using sunblock every day since. Photo: Dave Gorham

* Basal Cell Carcinoma.

It’s officially fall in the Northern Hemisphere, but the extreme heat we experienced this summer, not only in the U.S. but around the world, has put coral reefs at risk. The heat puts a lot of stress on the corals causing some of them to shed their color which indicates they’re going into survival mode.

Coral bleaching is an indicator of heat stress. Photo: http://flowergarden.noaa.gov/

Coral reefs are most common in the Indo-Pacific region which is where you’ll find 91.1% of all corals (i.e. Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia and Pacific Ocean). The Atlantic and Caribbean Seas only account for 7.6% of coral reefs. However, as sea surface temperatures remain very warm across the Caribbean (see below), it looks like corals may undergo drastic bleaching over the next few weeks as they’re very sensitive to water temperature. When corals are exposed to very warm water, they either expel or consume the colorful algae they hold, which leads to the bleached color. If the stress is prolonged and the algae populations do not recover, the coral eventually dies.

Sea surface temperature plot for Tuesday, September 28. The Caribbean has warm sea surface temperatures in the 80’s F. Image: UNISYS

In 2005, up to 90% of corals in the eastern Caribbean suffered bleaching and more than half of them died. According to scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Coral Reef Watch network, the potential for bleaching is higher this year than it was in 2005. However, the hottest year on record was in 1998 when an estimated 16% of the world’s shallow-water reefs died and according to NOAA, the first eight months of 2010 matched 1998 as the hottest period on record from January to August. In 1998, an estimated 16% of the world’s shallow-water reefs died.

A coral reef strongly hit by 1998’s El Niño. Photo: Wikipedia

Back in 1983, the eastern Pacific and Caribbean saw corals drastically dying off due to a large-scale weather event which is now identified as El Niño. 2010 has also been an El Niño year, which is characterized by unusually warm temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. Heat puts stress on the corals and causes their metabolism of algae to speed out of control and they start creating toxins. The corals begin to look white or like they’ve been bleached because without the algae, the coral polyps are mostly clear. However, if the temperatures drop, the corals’ remaining algae can reproduce and help them to recover (which make take weeks or months). But if the heat continues, the corals eventually starve to death and the only things left are their skeletons. Unfortunately, it appears that the waters are still warming across the Caribbean, especially across the southern portion, and the corals here could be at high risk.

Difference between unbleached coral (left) and bleached coral (right). Photo: Wikipedia

Over the past couple of days we’ve been tracking Tropical Disturbance 55 which was upgraded to Tropical Depression 16 on Tuesday. This could actually be beneficial to the reefs across the northern Caribbean as tropical systems tend to help cool the water. Tropical Depression 16 is expected to move just east of Florida Wednesday and merge with a cold front off the east coast later in the week.

Unfortunately, computer models continue to indicate warm surface temperatures across the Caribbean and corals may undergo drastic bleaching in the next few weeks. Close to home, a marine sanctuary off the TX-LA border, the Flower Garden Banks, has already seen serious bleaching recently with elevated sea surface temperatures throughout the Gulf of Mexico. The preferred temperature range across this area is about 68-86ºF. Most coral bleaching is the result of water temperatures going beyond the level of tolerance for too long. When sea surface temperatures stay above 86ºF for too long, the corals begin to stress.

Click here for NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch website for the Greater Caribbean. The areas of most concern are across the southern Caribbean.

The Flower Garden Banks are currently under a Bleaching Watch. Image: Coral Reef Watch

This is the second weekend in a row that parts of Texas and the Gulf Coast states will see heat index values rise to between 100-105F. South Texas could reach a heat index value near 110F. With the summer heat and humidity already in full force across parts of the southern U.S., it’s time to start thinking of ways you can beat the heat this summer.

Saturday: Hot and humid conditions will continue across the Gulf Coast states this weekend. Heat index values near 100F are likely for most areas with the highest values expected across South Texas. The extreme heat is indicated in the orange shading, the green represents the heavy rain potential and the red shows the threat for severe weather from the Plains into Ohio Valley.

Sunday/Monday: Highs will climb into the 90’s from Texas to Virginia with heat index values between 100-105F.

The summer heat takes a toll on our bodies, but especially for those that work outdoors or do strenuous exercises (i.e. runners, football practices, etc) that require you to be outdoors for long periods of time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heat stroke kills approximately 300 people each year. What exactly causes a heat stroke? Well, usually our bodies are able to cool themselves off by sweating and radiating heat through the skin. However, a heat stroke is caused when heat builds up to dangerous levels and your body’s cooling system begins to fail. If a person becomes dehydrated and cannot sweat enough to cool their body, their internal temperatures may rise to dangerously high levels causing heat stroke.

What are the symptoms of heat stroke?

The following are the most common symptoms of heat stroke, although each individual may experience symptoms differently.

·         headache

·         dizziness

·         disorientation, agitation or confusion

·         sluggishness or fatigue

·         seizure

·         hot, dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty

·         a high body temperature

·         loss of consciousness

·         rapid heartbeat

·         hallucinations

Here are a few recommendations you can follow to help stay safe in the summer heat.

1. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
2. Avoid the intense heat of the day by running errands, working outside or exercising early in the morning or late in the day.
3. Dress in light, loose-fitting clothes. Avoid dark colored clothes which absorb heat.
4. Be aware of what prescriptions you are taking because some of them, even over-the-counter ones, can increase the chance of heat-related illness. Antipsychotic medications, antihistamines, antidepressants and some muscle relaxants are just a few that generally interfere with sweating.
5. Be safe and take extra precautions in the heat. Don’t overdo it!

Last month we blogged about the heat in India and after an unusually warm March, a severe heat wave has hit northern and eastern India with temperatures across many states rising to 104-113F. India has four seasons: winter (January and February), summer (March to May), a monsoon rainy season (June to September), and a post-monsoon period (October to December). Temperatures across many cities have been well above average with New Delhi, the capital, recording a high of 106.8F on Sunday, which is the hottest they’ve seen this season. However, in India’s eastern state of Orissa, Sambhalpur recorded a high of 114F.

A Dehli resident carries a water cooler home as a severe heat wave hits the country. Image: AP

An All India Radio report says as many as 50 people have died in Uttar Pradesh over the past few days in fire incidents, which are on the rise due to the high temperatures. In Chhattisgarh, the heat has claimed the lives of three children in the Korba district over the past few days. Doctors have advised people to stay indoors, as many people have been reported becoming sick due to the heat and suffering from a heat stroke.

Image: oneindia

On top of the severe heat wave, some areas affected by the heat are also experiencing power outages and water shortages. This of course makes matters even worse. Last year, India suffered from one of its worst droughts. It doesn’t look like any relief is on the way at least for the next few days as hot and dry conditions will continue.

As warm, dry air blows in from the deserts of western Asia, cloud-free days across northern India are warming into the first heat wave of the season. Temperatures over 100F were recorded in many areas yesterday and the next few days look equally warm — if not more so. As noted on satellite imagery below, the southern third of India is under the jet stream, with clouds, showers and thunderstorms. Elsewhere, mostly clear skies and warm/hot temperatures should continue into early next week. In addition, Saturday is the first day of spring, indicating the return of the sun to the Northern Hemisphere. Not only will the sun’s rays be more direct, but the days are growing longer — allowing more sun and more heat to reach interior India.

High pressure over Kashmir and sunny skies over northern India allow the temperatures to climb. Image: ImpactWeather Gmaps 2.0

Agra Fort near Rajasthan. Photo: Jorgen Knudsen.

[Warning: Serious science ahead.]

The temperature in New York has reached the highest ever recorded. And right in the middle of February. What gives? Laboratory scientists (in New York) have created the hottest temperature ever: 4 trillion degrees Celsius.

A computer rendition of the 4-trillion degree Celsius plasma. Image: Brookhaven National Laboratory

Yes, 4 trillion degrees. That’s hotter than the sun at 50 million degrees, way hotter than molten iron (1800 degrees), hotter even than the core of your basic supernova (2 billion degrees); it’s twice as hot as the temperature needed to melt neutrons and protons and seven degrees hotter than the pizza that burned the roof of my mouth Friday night.

The scientists hope that this new data will help them understand how matter first clumped from inanimate matter — the primeval soup theory. They hope, too, there will be practical applications in making computing devices smaller, faster and more powerful (I’d invest in one of those liquid submersion cooling systems for your new computer if I were you).

Read more about the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider  where this searing new temperature was created and more about the scientists who created it and what they hope to achieve. In the mean time, I now look at my neighborhood pizza parlor with renewed appreciation knowing the technology they employ to super-heat their delicious pie.

I’m a gearhead. Motorcycles mostly, but cars, too. So the headline "Fastest Golf Slowed by Aussie Heat" from the Brisbane Times grabbed the gearhead lobe of my brain as well as the (just a bit smaller) meteorological lobe of my brain. Turns out Europe’s largest automaker has decided to not send the new high-performance Golf "R" to Australia because of heat concerns. Instead, a detuned version will be shipped Down Under. The less powerful Aussie-bound AWD V-6 Volkswagen Golf will put 252hp to the pavement as compared to the Europe version with 266hp. In America the 4-cylinder turbo "GTI"  packs just 200hp. You’ll recall I blogged about the heat in Australia a couple of weeks ago, and here’s yet another example of how the infamous Australian heat is causing more problems – this time for the country’s performance drivers and gearheads plus Volkswagen Australia who would doubtlessly love to sell the fastest Volkswagen on the market to eager drivers.

Heat concerns? As far as the engine is concerned the cooler the ambient air temperature, the higher the oxygen content per cubic centimeter (cc); more oxygen stuffed into an engine’s cylinders equates to more horsepower. On the other hand, more heat equates to less oxygen per given cc, less performance and more difficulty managing ideal operating temperatures. Today’s small high-performance engines are miracles of modern engineering, but they rely on sophisticated and sensitive systems to keep operating temperatures within just a few degrees of optimum. Volkswagen engineers determined that the Australian heat would overwhelm the new Golf and performance would suffer, perhaps even leading to damaged engines (and unhappy customers).

The car’s hot; the weather’s hotter. Photo: Volkswagen Golf "R". Brisbane Times and Volkswagen

How hot is too hot? In the case of the Golf, that’s a decision for the Golf’s German designers as they consider the meteorological data. Australia’s annual mean temperatures (mathematical average of daily highs and lows) range from the mid-teens in degrees Celsius (59-62F) in southeastern Australia to the mid-to-upper 20s (81-83F) in areas of northern Australia. Again, these are daily averages spread across the entire year. Conversely, Germany – home of Volkswagen – is more temperate with summer temperatures only briefly reaching into the mid-20s (85-87F). Melbourne, in the peak of the summer south of the Equator today is expected to reach 90F; 95F in Adelaide; 91F in Darwin, while for the past month heat extremes have been plaguing much of Australia.

Why only the "lower" horsepower hi-perf VW "GTI" here in the States? Yes, there are areas of the United States with extreme temperatures, but even southern cities like Phoenix (annual avg. mean 74.2F) and Houston (annual avg. mean 68.8F) can’t match the ongoing heat of Australia, especially the northern 1/3 of Australia. The real reason I believe, is not the weather. With the exception of the small-ish "tuner car" crowd (remember "The Fast and the Furious"?), American drivers just haven’t embraced the high-performance small car market like Europe and other parts of the world, preferring bigger cars and bigger engines.

It doesn’t take a meteorologist to know Volkswagen’s decision will now leave Australian drivers out in the cold (ba DUM dum!)