heat wave
Prolonged summer sizzle
A heat wave is a prolonged period of abnormally hot weather, typically lasting several days or longer.
The term is relative to local climate—what counts as a heat wave in Seattle might be ordinary in Phoenix.
Heat waves can be dangerous, especially for the elderly: The heat wave sent hundreds to emergency rooms.
Also spelled heatwave.
Depriving of air
- stiflingOppressively hot and close
- unbearableImpossible to endure
- exhaustingDepleting one's stamina
- debilitatingCausing severe impairment
overwhelming · sweltering · muggy · sultry · humid · sticky · clammy · airless
Body's cooling system failure
- sunstrokeHeat illness from exposure
- dehydrationExcessive fluid loss
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- lethargyAbnormal drowsiness and apathy
sweating · fainting · cramps · dizziness · sunburn · thirst · irritability · insomnia
Strong force per area
- anticycloneHigh-pressure weather system
- temperatureMeasured heat intensity
- humidityMoisture in atmosphere
- climate changePlanetary atmospheric transformation
extreme weather · anomaly · UV index · forecast · thermal mass · record-breaking · prolonged · atmosphere
Indoor cooling system
- fanAdmirer or air mover
- hydrationBodily fluid replenishment
- cooling centerEmergency shelter from heat
- shadeDarkness from blocked light
ice pack · cold shower · siesta · swimming · sprinkler · misting · popsicle · iced tea
Sandy waterside margin
- poolCollective fund or basin
- vacationLeisure time away
- sunscreenUV-blocking skin cream
- shortsAbbreviated lower garments
sunglasses · barbecue · picnic · sundress · flip-flops · sandals · watermelon · outdoor dining
Insufficient supply of water
- water scarcityInsufficient freshwater for demand
- dry spellProlonged absence of rain
- parchedExtremely dry or thirsty
- cracked earthDried ground with fissures
crop failure · wildfire risk · irrigation · reservoir · rationing · dust · withered · dried riverbed
suffocating
Depriving of air
- stiflingOppressively hot and close
- unbearableImpossible to endure
- exhaustingDepleting one's stamina
debilitating · overwhelming · sweltering · muggy · sultry · humid · sticky · clammy · airless · close
heatstroke
Body's cooling system failure
- sunstrokeHeat illness from exposure
- dehydrationExcessive fluid loss
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
lethargy · sweating · fainting · cramps · dizziness · sunburn · thirst · irritability · insomnia · nosebleed
high pressure
Strong force per area
- anticycloneHigh-pressure weather system
- temperatureMeasured heat intensity
- humidityMoisture in atmosphere
climate change · extreme weather · anomaly · UV index · forecast · thermal mass · record-breaking · prolonged · atmosphere · weather pattern
air conditioning
Indoor cooling system
- fanAdmirer or air mover
- hydrationBodily fluid replenishment
- cooling centerEmergency shelter from heat
shade · ice pack · cold shower · siesta · swimming · sprinkler · misting · popsicle · iced tea · lemonade
beach
Sandy waterside margin
shorts · sunglasses · barbecue · picnic · sundress · flip-flops · sandals · watermelon · outdoor dining · ice cream
water shortage
Insufficient supply of water
- water scarcityInsufficient freshwater for demand
- dry spellProlonged absence of rain
- parchedExtremely dry or thirsty
cracked earth · crop failure · wildfire risk · irrigation · reservoir · rationing · dust · withered · dried riverbed · brittle
- phenomenanorthern lights, eclipse, earthquake, solar eclipse, volcanic eruption
- summersummer, summertime, midsummer, summer solstice, solstice
- weatherweather, rain, sun, snow, wind
- weather phenomenatornado, wind, hurricane, gust, blizzard
- weather termssunny, rainy, cloudy, stormy, snowy
- climateclimate change, climate, weather, global warming, temperature
heat wavecold snap
Brief period of bitter chill
cold spell · cold wave · freeze · deep freeze · arctic blast