If you’ve been outside recently, you know how hot and sticky it is…thanks to high humidity levels.
The humidity is expected to stay with us through the Labor Day holiday weekend.
While the moisture may keep your skin looking young longer, StormCenter 7 Meteorologist Rich Wirdzek says high humidity can have negative, dangerous effects on your body.
According to the National Weather Service, sweating alone does nothing to cool the body, unless the water leaves your skin through evaporation - but high humidity slows or stops evaporation.
When it’s hot and humid outside, your body will do everything it can to maintain 98.6 degrees inside. Your heart will work harder to keep you cool, and will pump blood nearer the surface of your skin.
This is when heat disorders can kick in, when your body can no longer shed heat by sweating and circulation changes. According to the National Weather Service, when heat gain exceeds the level the body can remove, the temperature of your inner core rises and heat-related illnesses begin.
- Approximately 175 Americans die from extreme heat each year
- Young children, elderly people, and those who are sick or overweight are more vulnerable
- Men experience heat illness more often because they sweat more and quickly become dehydrated
- Drink plenty of water when you're exposed to excessive heat and humidity