heatwaves
Prolonged extreme temperatures
Heatwaves are prolonged periods of abnormally hot weather, typically lasting several days or longer.
The term also describes the visible shimmering distortion of air rising from hot surfaces like pavement or desert sand: Heatwaves rippled across the highway.
In physics, heat waves are infrared radiation.
The spelling varies: heat wave or heatwave.
Extremely hot, uncomfortably so
- scorchingExtremely hot, burning
- blisteringExtremely intense or severe
- searingBrowning with intense heat
- broilingExtremely hot, or oven-top cooking
sizzling · torrid · oppressive · stifling · sultry · baking · roasting · unbearable
Body's cooling system failure
- dehydrationExcessive fluid loss
- hyperthermiaDangerously elevated body temperature
- sunstrokeHeat illness from exposure
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
collapse · mortality · hospitalization · vulnerable populations · elderly · infants · hydration · cooling centers
Rising planetary temperatures
- climate changePlanetary atmospheric transformation
- greenhouse gasesEmissions that trap heat
- extreme weatherUnusual, dangerous atmospheric events
- temperature recordsLogged measurements of heat
climate crisis · jet stream · high pressure · climate adaptation · climate modeling · climate projections · meteorological · weather patterns
Indoor cooling system
- fansArdent admirers or coolers
- shadeDarkness from blocked light
- cold showersBathing without heated water
- swimming poolsArtificial basins for aquatics
hydration · ice · misting · siesta · staying indoors · light clothing · sunscreen · electrolytes
Insufficient freshwater for demand
- crop failureWhen fields yield nothing
- wildfiresUncontrolled outdoor blazes
- evaporationLiquid turning to gas
- parchedExtremely dry or thirsty
groundwater depletion · desertification · dust storms · dry spells · cracked earth · water restrictions · fire risk · soil moisture
Linked transmission system
- blackoutsComplete loss of electricity
- brownoutsTemporary drops in electricity
- water main breaksFractured underground distribution pipes
- peak demandMaximum simultaneous consumption level
sweltering
Extremely hot, uncomfortably so
- scorchingExtremely hot, burning
- blisteringExtremely intense or severe
- searingBrowning with intense heat
broiling · sizzling · torrid · oppressive · stifling · sultry · baking · roasting · unbearable · relentless
heatstroke
Body's cooling system failure
- dehydrationExcessive fluid loss
- hyperthermiaDangerously elevated body temperature
- sunstrokeHeat illness from exposure
fatigue · collapse · mortality · hospitalization · vulnerable populations · elderly · infants · hydration · cooling centers · emergency services
global warming
Rising planetary temperatures
- climate changePlanetary atmospheric transformation
- greenhouse gasesEmissions that trap heat
- extreme weatherUnusual, dangerous atmospheric events
temperature records · climate crisis · jet stream · high pressure · climate adaptation · climate modeling · climate projections · meteorological · weather patterns
air conditioning
Indoor cooling system
- fansArdent admirers or coolers
- shadeDarkness from blocked light
- cold showersBathing without heated water
swimming pools · hydration · ice · misting · siesta · staying indoors · light clothing · sunscreen · electrolytes · sprinklers
water scarcity
Insufficient freshwater for demand
- crop failureWhen fields yield nothing
- wildfiresUncontrolled outdoor blazes
- evaporationLiquid turning to gas
parched · groundwater depletion · desertification · dust storms · dry spells · cracked earth · water restrictions · fire risk · soil moisture
power grid
Linked transmission system
- blackoutsComplete loss of electricity
- brownoutsTemporary drops in electricity
- water main breaksFractured underground distribution pipes
- Thar Desertsand dunes, sandstorms, arid climate, camel, camels
- climateclimate change, climate, weather, global warming, temperature
- disastersdisaster, earthquake, earthquakes, catastrophe, floods
- Health Hazardsair pollution, asbestos, carbon monoxide, chemical spills, cholera
- hot weatherhot days, scorcher, swelter, humidity, muggy
- climate impactsglobal warming, rising temperatures, rising temps, extreme weather, sea level rise
heatwavescold snaps
Brief periods of freezing weather
cold spells · cold waves · freezes · deep freezes · ice storms