Guest post: How extreme heat is ‘creeping’ from summer into autumn and spring
A new study indicates that extreme heat events are increasingly occurring outside of traditional summer months, spreading into spring and autumn. Researchers found that these 'shoulder season' heatwaves are particularly dangerous because populations and infrastructure are often unprepared for them.
Why it matters
Understanding shifting climate patterns is critical for public health policy and infrastructure planning as extreme weather becomes more frequent and unpredictable.
postdoctoral associate at New York University
Extreme heat is one of the deadliest climate hazards , but no two heatwaves are the same.
Heat extremes that happen outside of the peak summer months are often more dangerous because they can catch people off guard.
Heatwaves that hit during the spring or the first heatwave of the summer are riskier because people’s bodies are not yet accustomed to the heat and cooling strategies, such as air conditioning or public cooling centres, might not be available.
On the other hand, heatwaves that happen in the autumn, after a long summer season of heat exposure, can place further strain on bodies and local infrastructure that are already under stress.
As the climate changes and global temperatures rise, research has shown that heatwaves are becoming more frequent, intense and lengthy .
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