Heat Waves

A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessive heat, often combined with excessive humidity. In recent years, heat waves have caused more deaths than all other weather events, including floods. Everyone in the Hartford area is at risk from heat waves, although the elderly, children, people who are sick, people who are overweight, and people with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease, are at greatest risk.

In humans, extreme heat can lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.

  • An Excessive Heat WATCH means conditions are favorable for an event to meet or exceed local excessive heat warning criteria in the next 12 to 48 hours.
  • An Excessive Heat WARNING means that heat values are forecast to meet or exceed locally defined warning criteria for at least two days.
  • An Excessive Heat ADVISORY means hazardous heat conditions have begun or will begin within 36 hours and, if caution is not exercised, could become life threatening.

Learn to protect yourself and your family. Download our Hazard Prep Checklists and take steps to be prepared before and during a heat wave.