Extreme Heat

Heatwave - There is no international definition for heatwave. This is because similar temperatures can have different impacts on the most varied environments and communities. Common sense dictates that a heatwave is generally defined as that period of abnormal, uncomfortable hot weather that can impact human health, local infrastructure, and community services. The effects determined by a heat wave are of multifactorial origin. In addition to problems directly related to health, infrastructure failures or other natural emergencies can increase stress in the community. For example, power outages prevent people from using refrigerated systems. No less alarming are fires that occur in association with hot flashes - which affect air quality and may exacerbate respiratory diseases.