Welcome to the Science Mondays segment! Each week here on Geek Alabama, Science Mondays will feature stuff from the world of science and science related content. Our goal here at Geek Alabama is to hopefully have you learn something useful and fulfilling. Science is a geek’s best friend, and we love featuring science content here at Geek Alabama.
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.
