Temperatures in Billings, Montana, and other towns throughout the central and northern Plains are expected to rise beyond 100 degrees Fahrenheit this week. For the first time since at least 1976, the Thames River’s source has dried up in England. In Spain, authorities have issued excessive heat warnings as yet another heatwave swelters sections of the nation after the country’s warmest July on record since at least 1961.
As the earth continues to warm, people are more vulnerable to heat-related sickness and mortality. However, a temperature-impact measure known as wet bulb globe temperature might help consumers avoid this, which is why some meteorologists advocate for its wider usage.
“With a rising climate and increased heat waves that are unavoidable, more people will become interested in ‘What else can we do to keep people safe?” CBS News spoke with Weather Channel meteorologist Jen Carfagno. “One of those factors is the temperature of the wet bulb globe.”
What does the wet bulb globe temperature reveal about the weather?
In hot weather, the human body normally produces sweat as a means of controlling body temperature by evaporative cooling. However, in high humidity and high temperature situations, perspiration may be difficult to drain and cool a person down, increasing the risk of heat sickness.
Your body’s capacity to cool itself is challenged in hot and humid conditions, and you may develop a heat-related disease. Learn about the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, as well as the recommended responses. #NIHHIS #HeatSafety https://t.co/ihZJ1hmzXJ pic.twitter.com/Vn0NwXciex
August 3, 2022 — National Weather Service (@NWS)
According to the National Weather Service, the wet bulb temperature considers temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover to determine how much a person may be cooled by water evaporation to prevent heat-related sickness.
It employs a graded threshold, with a score of 80 or less deemed safe to engage in routine activities such as sports. However, regulators advise that working 15 minutes under a wet globe bulb temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more is likely to stress the body. Experts recommend taking at least 45 minutes of breaks per hour while working or exercising in this amount of direct sunshine.
How is the temperature of a wet bulb globe measured?
The index, which was originally measured by covering the globe of a thermometer with a piece of wet gauze, was invented and first used in the 1950s to address an increase in serious outbreaks of heat illness in the United States armed forces while they performed strenuous activity, according to Carfagno. Recently, a device known as a sling psychrometer has been developed to determine the wet bulb globe temperature.
WBGT (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature) is an excellent indication of outdoor, active populations! Visit https://t.co/2qA4RnC6vA for the anticipated WBGT. #NIHHIS #HeatSafety #HeatToolTuesday pic.twitter.com/6t0KVHhI6n
July 26, 2022 — National Weather Service (@NWS)
Temperature of a wet bulb globe vs the heat index
Although the wet bulb globe temperature is comparable to other measures like the heat index, which is computed for shady locations and considers just temperature and humidity, Carfagno believes fundamental distinctions in the measurements’ limits influence their efficacy.
R.G. Steadman employed temperature and dew point in a 1979 study to devise a way of determining how humid the air field is.
However, Carfagno pointed out that Steadman “made a ton of assumptions” in his study, including criteria such as a person’s weight, height, kind of clothes worn, and gender.
“That heat index calculation that everyone uses is really not entirely accurate of how the air will effect your body,” Carfagno said. “So this wet bulb globe temperature is a fairly excellent gauge of how the heat may effect someone’s body since it doesn’t even include assumptions – about the kind of person.”
Instead, she claims that the wet bulb globe temperature is limited by environmental factors. According to a recent research published in the National Library of Medicine, several factors other than those assessed in the wet bulb globe temperature equation may potentially impact a person’s sweat evaporation.
You may be wondering what the difference is between Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature and Heat Index! WBGT is used for direct sunlight exposure and takes into consideration a variety of factors. The Heat Index is determined in the shade and solely considers temperature and humidity. pic.twitter.com/hRagWxlO7y
— NWS Atlanta (@NWSAtlanta) May 15, 2018
Nonetheless, Carfagno believes that more platforms should employ the wet bulb temperature since it may help consumers reduce their risk of heat stress.
She claims that many weather service applications and corporations, including the Weather Channel, continue to use the heat index technique to calculate features such as “actual feel” temperatures. Others, such as schools and the United States military services, already consider the wet bulb globe temperature when determining whether it is safe to undertake activities outdoors.
“I believe that as a society, we must be open to constantly updated knowledge,” Carfagno added. “We can’t acquire just one figure for the day and believe we’re done. The weather changes while you’re outdoors.”