During heat wave, it will be even hotter in certain parts of Evansville
EVANSVILLE — Local temperatures will soar at the end of this week, sending people across the city inside. But with dangerous incoming highs of around 100 degrees, some parts of Evansville will be hit harder than others.
Heat indexes could hover between 105 and 115 degrees.
Downtown and urban areas will be most affected by the heat, according to James Durbin, associate professor of geology at the University of Southern Indiana.
“There's more people, there's more cars, there's more buildings,” Durbin said. “Everything is more more compact.”
Areas with multiple buildings close together or divided by a one or two-lane street will be the hottest, because the radiant heat from the sun gets trapped. These buildings also generate their own internal heat because of the number of people inside.
This, combined with the trapped heat and blacktop and parking lots, makes it up to five to ten degrees hotter than non-urban areas, even in the shade.
People can cool off in greener spaces, where heat isn’t absorbed and where there’s more likely to be shade from trees. These spaces help moderate temperatures, Durbin said, because plants absorb solar energy.
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Heat waves will become more common
On the bright side, while it’ll be hot in the next few days, it won’t stay this way all summer, according to Justin Gibbs, lead forecaster at the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky. Temperatures will likely hover around 88 degrees throughout the season.
Still, average temperatures are increasing, Gibbs said, and heat waves like this week’s, not to mention wildfires such as the one in Canada that has blanketed the city in a thick haze, will likely become more common. Studies show extreme heat is likely to increase in the coming decades.
“It's been warm,” Gibbs said. "But it's going to be much, much warmer.”
People should plant trees, close their windows and make sure their houses are properly insulated to keep their homes cooler, Durbin said. In the long term, he said residents should consider solar panels or light-colored roof tiles to take strain off their air-conditioning.
Vanderburgh County Emergency Management issued a heat advisory warning from 11 a.m. Thursday to 8 p.m. Friday. Here are their recommendations:
To avoid heat illness:
Drink plenty of fluids.
Stay in an air-conditioned room. While the city doesn’t currently have plans for cooling centers, EVPL locations will stay open normal hours with the exception of July 4th. Planet Fitness will also have its gyms open for free through Sunday to people who want to exercise indoors.
Stay out of the sun.
Check up on relatives and neighbors.
If you have to be outside:
Reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible.
Take frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments if working.
The page also included a reminder that heat stroke is a medical emergency and said, if someone is experiencing symptoms, to call 911 for medical help.
Nadia Scharf can be reached at nadia.scharf@courierpress.com
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: During heat wave, it will be even hotter in parts of Evansville
