WE WILL LIKELY HEAR THE TERM "HEAT INDEX" QUITE A BIT THIS WEEK. A UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION CLIMATE CHANGE SPECIALIST EXPLAINS WHAT THAT REALLY MEANS.
THE HEAT INDEX IS A MEASURE OF THE ACTUAL TEMPERATURE, COMBINED WITH THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY TO PROVIDE A "FEELS LIKE" TEMP SAYS THE EXTENSION'S DUANE FRIEND.
FRIEND SAYS WHEN THE HUMIDITY IS SO HIGH, NOT AS MUCH SWEAT IS EVAPORATING OFF OUR BODIES TO COOL US OFF. THAT'S WHEN HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS CAN OCCUR.
FRIEND SAYS THE LESSER-KNOWN "WET BULB GLOBE TEMPERATURE" PROVIDES AN EVEN BETTER READ ON HOW DANGEROUS THE HEAT IS OUTSIDE. IT'S AN INDICATOR OF THE HEAT-RELATED STRESS ON THE HUMAN BODY IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND IS USED IN MARATHONS, OTHER ATHLETICS AND BY THE MILITARY.
