Another bout of extreme heat is on the horizon for New Hampshire.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for much of New Hampshire from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday. During that time, the heat index is expected to reach the mid- to upper-90s. Click here for more details from the National Weather Service.
Climate change is making New Hampshire hotter, and scientists expect more days of extreme heat in New Hampshire as the burning of fossil fuels continues warming up the atmosphere.
If you need a safe place to get away from the heat, here's list of public cooling centers.
Extreme heat can be dangerous. Across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 600 people die annually from extreme heat. In New Hampshire, the Granite State News Collaborative found that more than 1,400 residents went to the ER for heat-related illness between 2012 and 2019.
Heat can have harmful effects on anyone, but some people are at even greater risk. According to the CDC, that includes older adults, young children, people with chronic medical conditions, low-income populations, athletes and people who work outdoors. Heat can also be especially dangerous to pregnant people.
Dizziness, nausea, hot skin and a rapid pulse are some of the signs of heat stroke. Heavy sweating, fainting, dizziness and headaches are some symptoms of heat exhaustion.
To stay safe during a heat wave, New Hampshire emergency preparedness officials advise avoiding the outdoors and sun exposure as much as possible, limiting outdoor work and sun exposure during the hottest parts of the day, and wearing loose-fitting and lightweight clothing. If you must stay inside and don’t have access to air conditioning, they also recommend staying on lower floors because heat rises.
By Degrees: It's hot today. Here's how to stay cool and use less energy.
New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Jennifer Harper encourages people to stay hydrated and drink lots of water — even if you’re not thirsty.
Harper also urges people to avoid leaving children or pets unattended in closed vehicles, and to “check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.”
If you don’t have access to air conditioning or if your home loses power, you might be able to go to a local cooling center or find an air-conditioned public space, like a library. You can call your local city or town hall for more information.
Heat waves can also place stress on the electricity grid. Here’s some advice on how to reduce energy usage on hotter days.
More resources:
Cooling centers operating on Aug. 4, 2022
