Hot weather
Photo: Frank Liebig, CC BY-SA 3.0 de via Wikimedia Commons
Hot weather is a joy for many travellers, but "too much of a good thing" can be annoying and even dangerous. This article covers ways of coping with the annoyances and avoiding the dangers.
Hot weather is not just about temperature, as humidity also greatly influences the effects. The traveller's tolerance also comes into it; someone who is used to hot weather will cope far better than a person from a colder climate. Wind can also be a factor; a cooling breeze can be quite helpful but a hot wind or a dust storm can make things worse. For regions with a desert climate, a separate article exists: arid region safety. But even in a region not known for having a desert or (sub) tropical climate, a summer heatwave can have an impact.
UnderstandThe Earth's axis is tilted by 23 degrees in relation to the ecliptic, the plane of its orbit around the Sun, and this causes the seasons of winter, spring, summer, and autumn in temperate zones.
ClothingChoosing the right clothing can help a lot. Points worth considering include:
Heat wavesHeat waves are abnormally (and sometimes unexpectedly) high temperatures that can range from a few days to an extended period.
Coping with the heat
Medical issuesEven in comparatively healthy travellers, heat stress should not be ignored: your body has to work harder to cool down.
Heat shimmer and miragesIn certain areas, including expanses of sand or surfaced roads, mirages can easily form under the hot conditions.
WildfiresIn areas where there's been prolonged heat and an associated drought, the risk of wildfires is higher.
When the heat breaksWhen the heat breaks in humid climates there is a risk of thunderstorms, hail and flash floods.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Hot weather" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Frank Liebig, CC BY-SA 3.0 de via Wikimedia Commons