Weather Tidbits: The Heat Index

This edition of Weather Tidbits will be discussing the heat index. The heat index is a temperature value when taking into account the dew point and air temperature. The heat index is also known as the apparent temperatures or the “feels-like” temperature. It feels warmer out when both the dew point and air temperature are elevated because the sweat cannot evaporate, which would otherwise cool the body. For example, let’s say the air temperature is 92 with a dew point of 70. That would equal to a 99 degree heat index. If the heat index is 100 and 109, heat cramps or heat exhaustion is likely, and heat stroke is possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity. Heat stoke is likely with a heat index of 110 or higher.