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Uncle Joe

(62,133 posts)
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 09:00 PM 11 hrs ago

When Will Extreme Heat Become Unlivable?



Jun 18, 2025

Heat is the deadliest weather hazard in the U.S. and many places around the world, and it's only getting worse.
The most deadly heat waves so far have been dry heat waves. But a new threat is rising: humid heat waves, aka wet-bulb events. Scientists have identified wet-bulb temperatures where sweat can’t evaporate fast enough to cool the human body. And once this threshold is crossed, it doesn’t matter how much shade or water you have: you won’t survive without environmental cooling like air conditioning.
In this episode of Weathered, we break down: What wet-bulb temperature actually means, why it’s so dangerous, what areas will be affected, and why air conditioning, while essential, isn’t enough.

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6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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When Will Extreme Heat Become Unlivable? (Original Post) Uncle Joe 11 hrs ago OP
It is scary right now BOSSHOG 11 hrs ago #1
Mowing in the morning is harder synni 10 hrs ago #4
72 degrees enid602 11 hrs ago #2
At anytime and anywhere the danger becomes extreme when a wet bulb thermometer reads the same as a dry bulb thermometer. LastDemocratInSC 10 hrs ago #3
Soon. anciano 10 hrs ago #5
Which major city will be the first to be decimated by a heat crisis? hunter 7 hrs ago #6

BOSSHOG

(43,041 posts)
1. It is scary right now
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 09:09 PM
11 hrs ago

I’m 71, mow my lawn at sunrise and am wiped out in an hour. I’m only a few seconds from the garage and a fan and a refrigerator with plenty of liquids. When I’m done, I’m done for the day.

synni

(433 posts)
4. Mowing in the morning is harder
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 09:24 PM
10 hrs ago

All the dew from overnight humidity is on it, making the grass tougher to mow.

Try mowing in the evening, after the sun has baked off all that moisture. The grass won't stick and clump, and pushing the mower isn't as hard on you.

Also, spray WD-40 on the bottom deck and blades, to prevent grass from sticking to those surfaces.

Wet grass sticking to the underside of a mower makes it heavier, harder to push, and it mows less efficiently.

The 18-year-old who mows my lawn keeps mowing it in the morning, and I keep telling him to do it in the evening, but he won't listen. He's exhausted after mowing my small lawn, and he's young and strong.

So please, try mowing just before sunset. I think you'll feel less fatigued.

enid602

(9,473 posts)
2. 72 degrees
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 09:10 PM
11 hrs ago

But it will still be 72 degrees year round on the West Coast, near the coast.

LastDemocratInSC

(4,075 posts)
3. At anytime and anywhere the danger becomes extreme when a wet bulb thermometer reads the same as a dry bulb thermometer.
Mon Jun 30, 2025, 09:21 PM
10 hrs ago

At that temperature evaporation of water stops so the cooling effects of sweating also stop which causes one's internal temperature to begin rising. (This sentence is true)

The moment of greatest risk is when an affected subject begins chanting about being "Too hot" and dons sunglasses and a dapper cap and begins clicking his fingers. If left untreated, jets of mist will eventually emerge from the subject's nostrils and a whistling sound, reminiscent of a tea kettle can be heard. (These sentences are not true)


hunter

(39,592 posts)
6. Which major city will be the first to be decimated by a heat crisis?
Tue Jul 1, 2025, 12:36 AM
7 hrs ago

I'm sure many of us U.S. American baby boomers will be around to witness it.

Some of us may be among the victims.



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