Why You Should NEVER Ignore Sun and Heat Advisories and Warnings
The #NationalWeatherService https://www.weather.gov is a governing body of the United States that monitors, reports on and warn of weather conditions that have potential to cause harm or damage to affected areas in our country. In El Paso and Las Cruces, we are often under heat advisories and warnings due to our extreme summer weather. We frequently get issued wind advisories and warnings, as well.
Because we have most recently been under the most dangerous of heat warnings, let’s focus on those today.
Heat warnings are issued because people are under very dangerous weather conditions that have deadly implications if not taken seriously or protected from the elements. The National Weather Service has indicated that mortality begins to increase exponentially as heat increases to and stays above a heat index of 104°F. Most vulnerable are the elderly and the home-bound.
Effects of extreme heat include severe headaches, dehydration, bone and joint discomfort and sometimes death. That is why the warnings are to be taken seriously. In fact, in addition to raising public awareness, the issuance of a heat warnings also alert hospitals and officials to take certain actions to prepare and respond to an increase in emergency calls.
HEAT ADVISORY
A heat advisory means that people can be affected by heat if precautions are not taken. The heat advisory is issued when the temperature remains at or above 100°F for a minimum of 2 hours. For example: If you expected the heat index to reach 100°F in the city of El Paso, a heat advisory would be issued for that county.
EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING
A heat warning is a more serious matter. Heat warnings are issued when the heat index reaches 105°F or greater and lasts for 2 hours or more, like it did for several days straight last week in El Paso and Las Cruces.
BE PREPARED
Heat Advisories and Warnings serve a very real purpose and should not be ignored. People need to heed the advanced warnings and seek cooler indoor air where they will be safe, more comfortable and can stay adequately hydrated.
If you have swamp coolers or poor air conditioning, sometimes this can be difficult and staying in your own home is not the best place to wait out the warnings. Stay with a friend or relative who has refrigerated air to wait out the excessive heat warnings, especially if there is going to be successive days of extremely hot weather. Staying in a home that is not adequately cooled can be as dangerous as being outside.
Getting refrigerated air yourself is easy with Total Air. New system estimates are free and financing is available for most. Upon credit approval, installation of your new air conditioning system is usually only one day.
For more information on the cooling systems available from Total Air, call us 915-585-0909 or visit us at http://www.totalairep.com/cooling-heating.
Please friends, right now LIKE The National Weather Service facebook page to remain informed on dangerous weather conditions. https://www.facebook.com/NWS/
Be safe El Paso and Las Cruces.
