Heat illnesses are up in San Antonio this summer
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Heat-related illnesses have been on the rise this summer in San Antonio, city data shows, as some of the hottest temperatures of the year are expected this week.
Why it matters: Even with fewer 100-degree days so far this year, high heat indices are dangerous on their own — and can offer a different measure of how hot and miserable our summers feel.
How it works: Mixing in relative humidity with the actual air temperature, the heat index is a measure of how hot it really feels — what we sometimes call the "feels like" temperature.
The big picture: Late July through mid-August is typically the hottest time of the year here, Harrison Tran, meteorologist with the National Weather Service's San Antonio/Austin office, tells Axios.
- The NWS typically issues a heat advisory when the heat index reaches 108, Tran says — but heat illnesses can be reported when the "feels like" temperature is around 90 degrees.
By the numbers: There have been at least 338 cases of heat-related illnesses so far this year in San Antonio, per a city dashboard maintained by Metro Health.
- By the same time last year, there were 279 heat-related illnesses.
- The dashboard shows how the illnesses typically rise alongside the average weekly heat index.
Zoom out: The NWS office has so far recorded just one triple-digit day in San Antonio this summer.
- But the last two weeks of July have seen an average heat index above 101 degrees, per the city dashboard.
What they're saying: "Especially for years like this one where there is a lot of humidity … it might actually disguise the heat-related concerns that are present" if one is only considering the temperature, Tran says.
Yes, but: Whether someone experiences a heat-related illness goes beyond the weather itself, and is impacted by how much time someone spends outdoors and whether they are acclimated to hot weather, Tran says.
Zoom in: Heat-related illnesses in San Antonio are largely cases of heat exhaustion, which causes lethargy and can appear before heatstroke, per University Health. Symptoms include dizziness and headache.
- Many adults don't drink enough water, per Jennifer Northway, director of injury prevention at University Health.
- "Adults need to increase their fluid intake by drinking cool, nonalcoholic beverages regardless of their activity level," Northway said in a statement.
University Health offers more tips for preventing heat-related illness:
- Wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing.
- Apply and reapply sunscreen, and wear hats and sunglasses.
- Avoid heavy exertion during the hottest part of the day, usually 3–4pm.
- If you are exerting yourself outdoors, plan for breaks in the shade with water.
- Do not leave anyone in a hot car.
What's next: It's expected to remain hot, with few rain chances, over the coming weeks.
- We're on track to have a warmer than average August, federal forecasters say.