Recently I visited two summer camps talking about summer weather safety, and as is often the case severe thunderstorm and tornado safety were tops on my list of items to discuss.  Today, however, I thought that I’d begin with heat safety instead.  It may seem elementary but heat deaths occur every year – in most cases they can be prevented with caution and planning.  Here are some things to remember when the temperature soars towards that 90 degree mark and beyond this summer:

1. Try and avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day (noon-4pm).  If you do have to be out in the heat be sure to take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water.
2. Wear loose fitting clothing and light colors
3. Use sunscreen if you will be out in the sun for a prolonged period of time
4. Under no circumstances leave people or pets in a car – it only takes a matter of minutes for internal temperatures to reach 120 degrees or higher. 

Keep in mind that a temperature of 90 degrees is only part of the equation - the heat index is how it really feels when you factor in the temperature and dewpoint.  The higher the dewpoint temperature the more uncomfortable it will feel when the heat is on.  A heat index of 100 degrees or higher can be deadly and lead to such symptoms as cramping, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke.   If you are with someone who is experiencing fatigue or exhaustion due to the heat get them out of the sun and into an air conditioned area.  Give them water and place a cool, wet cloth on their head to cool their body temperature down.  Heat stroke is a serious condition and should be treated as an emergency - contact medical aid or get them to the hospital immediately. 

Summer is a fun time of year with many activities to enjoy, but remember to take it easy in the heat!

Posted under Weather

Here in Wisconsin we go through a variety of weather.  From the brutal cold winters to the hot and humid summers…but what causes the seasons to changes?

Take a trip back to elementary science class and if you were paying attention, you know the answer…it’s the earth’s tilt!  The earth orbits the sun and at the same time, is tilted on it’s axis at a 23.5 degree angle. This means that different areas of the earth’s surface are exposed to different amounts of sunlight throughout the year

The seasons are marked by what we call solstices and equinoxes. The solstices occur when the poles are tilted at their max either toward the sun (summer) or away from the sun (winter).  Summer solstice takes place June 21^st or 22^nd and Winter solstice December 21^st or 22^nd in the Northern Hemisphere.

The equinoxes mark the beginning of spring and fall. At this time the sun’s rays are directly over the equator and the length of day and night are equal across the planet.  The spring equinox falls on March 20th or 21st and the fall equinox on September 22nd or 23^rd.

There is some variability to the exact time of Solstices and Equinoxes due to the Earths tilt and how it matches up with the orbit…but we know one thing for sure, the weather here in Wisconsin is never boring and always gives us something to talk about!

Enjoy your summer!

Meteorologist LeAnn Lombardo

Posted under Weather