Extreme heat facts that will surprise you

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had previously warned that heat waves kill more people in the United States than any other extreme weather event. More and more people on the East Coast and Midwest are expected to experience higher temperatures in the coming weeks.

To date, 200 million Americans run the risk that temperatures reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Some cities might even experience 110 degrees Fahrenheit because of the high heat and humidity.

Health experts have warned that a long-term exposure to extreme temperatures could lead to health problems. As people spend more time outdoors this summer, it is recommended to stay out of the sun for as long as possible.

But humans and animals are not the only victims of extreme heat in summer. Even infrastructure and other important materials are affected, which can cause more problems for the public. You will find below some of the main impacts of extreme heat.

Roads explode

Road closures are typical during typhoons. But you can also see public authorities restricting access to certain roads during the summer due to damage.

The heat wave can melt asphalt, while some concrete roads can explode due to the water below, which breaks the road.

In Kansas, several cracked and deformed roads have been reported due to rising temperatures. At the same time, the people of Iowa have witnessed the explosion of old concrete roads, the BBC reported.

Airports Delay Flights

Airports tend to cancel or delay flights due to extreme heat. High temperatures reduce the density of air, which affects the takeoff of the aircraft.

For example, Boeing or Airbus planes will not work if temperatures reach 126 degrees Fahrenheit.

Worst smog

Air pollution is another problem in the summer. Extreme heat could affect the quality of the air, which could be unhealthy or dangerous for children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases.

The struggles of agriculture

The heat makes it not only difficult and dangerous for farmers to work in the field. It also damages crops, mainly vegetables.

For soybean producers, summer is also a time for the growth of spider mites and other plant diseases due to drought.

Air conditioners intensify heat waves

Trying to stay cool can make the country warmer. The United States Environment Energy Information Administration (EIA) has stated that air conditioning requires more energy from power grids during heat waves.

Household air conditioners combined with those of the vehicles add heart to the atmosphere. These are some of the factors that contribute to climate change.

Summer has already arrived and parts of the United States are already experiencing warm, wet weather. pixabay