Why it’s been so hot and humid across the region

59 minutes ago

Bryan Alonso,

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The heat has been hard to escape across the region, with unseasonably high temperatures and humidity making August feel even more oppressive.

The simple explanation for the prolonged heat: A persistent area of high pressure, often described as a “heat dome,” is trapping hot air near the surface.

Craig Ramseyer, an associate professor at Virginia Tech, said high pressure causes air to sink. As that air sinks, it warms, helping drive temperatures higher.

But temperature alone does not tell the whole story. Humidity can make already-high temperatures feel even hotter.

“The heat index value is combining temperature and humidity,” Ramseyer said. “Really trying to encapsulate, like, how hot is it going to feel to your body?”

Over the past 11 days, 10 have reached at least 93 degrees, contributing to dry conditions and drought that have taken a toll on agricultural fields.

Those losses could eventually affect consumers at the grocery store, Ramseyer said. If crops such as corn have to be sourced from other parts of the country, transportation and other costs can rise.

“We’re not really immune to drought anywhere in the U.S.,” he said. “So, you’re going to be impacted at the grocery store.”

The heat also puts additional stress on the human body. Sweating, while uncomfortable, is one of the body’s most important ways of cooling itself.

“Sweating is really important because it’s your body releasing some of that heat to get your core temperature to drop,” Ramseyer said.

Older adults can be particularly vulnerable because they may not sweat as efficiently as younger people, making it harder for their bodies to shed heat.

For many people, the most reliable relief has been staying indoors with air conditioning — but that relief comes with a price.

Extended periods of extreme heat can drive up electricity use as air conditioners run for longer periods. Ramseyer said some people have reported utility bills that are two or even three times higher during prolonged heat events.