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 |
|
|
Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
ICD-10: ,