A heat wave is a period with a high environmental temperatures that is long enough to be a problem.
Factors affecting the criteria for a heat wave:
(1) susceptibility of the target population to a high temperature
(2) typical temperatures for the region and acclimatization
(3) humidity and other factors affecting the thermal load
(4) continuous vs intervals having a lower temperature
(5) amount of cloud cover (and direct sunlight)
Criteria of heat wave for the most susceptible populations (frail elderly, others):
(1) outdoor temperature > 90°F (> 32°C)
(2) for >= 3 days
Parameter
Most Susceptible
Intermediate
Least Susceptible
outdoor temperature
> 90°F
duration
>= 3 days
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
ICD-10: ,
