Heat Wave Wisconsin

It is so hot and humid I can't stand it. And the heat wave is just beginning.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

A dangerous heat wave is hitting the region and officials have issued three weather-related warnings and advisories for Milwaukee and surrounding counties.

Sunday afternoon, the National Weather Service expanded its excessive heat warning , which started at noon and is set to last through Sunday night for south central and southeast Wisconsin.

The weather service issued a heat advisory for Ozaukee, Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties until 10 p.m. Monday. High temperatures are expected to be 90 to 95 degrees with heat index values between 100 and 105.

In addition, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued an air quality advisory for ozone for Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties, which will remain in effect until 11 p.m. Sunday. Sensitive groups, including children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or heart problems and people engaged in strenuous outdoor activities are urged to take precautions to avoid illness.

The heat warning, which is valid until 10 p.m., means heat index values are expected to reach between 100 and 110 in the afternoon and early evening hours in the counties away from Lake Michigan.

The weather service warned that the combination of hot temperatures and high humidity are part of a "dangerous heat wave" that can cause heat illnesses.

"The hot and humid weather can cause heat-related health problems for anyone working or spending time outdoors or without air conditioning. The very young, the elderly and pets will be especially vulnerable," the service said in the warning. "Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors."

Whatever happened to Ozone Action days?

Remember these steps we were encouraged to take during hot spells when the air would be stagnant?

Travel Tips -

1. Limit driving. Defer errands or share a ride. For short trips, walk or ride a bike.
2. If you drive, avoid excessive idling or jack-rabbit starts.
3. Take transit. Ride the bus or train to work, school, or shopping.
4. Don't Refuel on an Ozone Action Day. If you must refuel, do so after 7 pm.
5. Avoid using gasoline powered equipment, such as outboard motors and off-road vehicles.

Home Tips -

1. Defer mowing your lawn until late evening or the next day. Also, avoid usin gother gasoline-powered garden equipment.
2. Postpone using oil-based paints, solvents, or varnishes.
3. Use an electric starter or charcoal chimney rather than lighter fluid.
4. Defer use of household consumer products that release fumes or evaporate easily.
5. Conserve energy to reduce energy needs from power plants.

Alas, Ozone Action Days are history in Wisconsin.

A survey of the Ozone Action Day program in the summer of 1995 revealed that over 80 percent of respondents were aware of the program. The survey results also showed that 70 percent of respondents said they took action. Of these, 69 percent postponed mowing the lawn and 47 percent filled a gas tank in the evening.

Both regulatory and voluntary actions have reduced pollution over time and the air has become healthier as a result. But as scientists and health specialists learn more about pollution and its impacts on our bodies, they realized two changes were needed – the health standards needed to be tightened and we needed to control finer, smaller particles, which cause serious health problems. Air pollution episodes due to fine particle pollution can occur anywhere in the state and at any time of year. Thus, Wisconsin needed to change its public notification system beyond Ozone Action Days.

When pollution levels are too high, Wisconsin now calls Air Quality Advisories instead of Ozone Action Days.

I don't get why there no longer is an emphasis on getting individuals to personally take action, altering their behavior.

If the suggestions were effective, why have they been dropped?

Air Quality Advisories warn the public about conditions, but there's no call to action anymore.

It doesn't make sense.

Did I mention it's so hot and humid that I can't stand it?

It's sweltering.

This is going to be a long week.