2007 North America South and Eastern heatwave
Encyclopedia
The 2007 North America South and Eastern heatwave was a continuation and eastward expansion of the 2007 Western North American heat wave
which began in late June 2007. As expected the heat from that heatwave expanded eastward starting at the very end of July and lasting into the first weeks of August. This heat wave eventually ended towards the end of October 2007 in this region of the United States of America.
, MO
and St. Louis
, MO. Much of the south experienced highs topping out around the century mark as far east as Charleston
, SC
and New York City
, NY
. On top of the actual temperatures being high, the humidity
levels were in the 50s to 60s percent levels, and dew points in the upper 60s to mid 70s created Heat Index
values of 105 or more in much of the affected areas. For that reason, nearly two dozen states were in eitherHeat Advisories, or Excessive Heat Warnings or Watches, with the area of most watch or warning coverage in the Mississippi River Valley region from Illinois
and Missouri
down to Louisiana
and the Southeast Atlantic Coast, as well as parts of the Mid-Atlantic
.
13 new all time maximum high temperatures were set, along with several hundred new daily high maximum temperature records.
Besides for the temperatures, the nature of the heatwave and the accompanying high pressure system area causing intensifying drought
conditions, especially in areas that were already experiencing exceptional drought conditions, such as northern Alabama where the drought was exceptional even before the heat wave. It is also initiating drought conditions into the Ohio
and Mississippi River Valleys. Depending on exactly how long this heatwave lasts, it could have a major impact on the agricultural harvest as September and October approaches. The drought conditions will also most likely create conditions that are more favorable for wildfires and create water shortages in some communities that are already dealing with low water levels.
The persistent drought and heat wave have further decreased soil moisture to below 98-99% of normal levels.
, such as construction work, or other jobs requiring excessive pushing, pulling. It was been advised that people working these kind of jobs
seek shade when possible, take frequent breaks, wear light colored, loose fitting clothing, as well as to drink plenty of clear non-alcoholic beverages even if they did not feel thirsty. Wearing sunglasses
, sunscreen
, and a wide brimmed hat
weren't bad ideas either, as the UV
or Ultraviolet index was expected to top at above normal levels due to the extra dry and hot weather.
near the Ozarks. Another was the sharp troughing over the Pacific Coast
and offshore of the Atlantic. This in turn created an Omega block pattern over the US and caused weather to persist for a period of days if not weeks in some cases. Weeks the ridge eventually retrograded back towards the west which allowed some short term relief for the northeastern states
and Mid-Atlantic
, but the Mississippi River Valley and southeast were not expected to get so lucky and stayed in the oppressive heat for at least several more days. Some more widespread relief came by the end of the following month. August 2007 turned out to be one of the 20 warmest Augusts for the United States since 1895.
2007 Western North American heat wave
The 2007 western North American heat wave was a record-breaking event that began in late June 2007. The heat stretched from Mexico to Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and into northwestern Ontario. The record heat has exacerbated already present record-breaking drought conditions in much of the...
which began in late June 2007. As expected the heat from that heatwave expanded eastward starting at the very end of July and lasting into the first weeks of August. This heat wave eventually ended towards the end of October 2007 in this region of the United States of America.
Environmental impacts
The North American South and Eastern Heatwave was responsible for oppressive heat and building drought across the central and southern midwest and into the southeast. Temperatures were soaring into the upper 90s and low 100s as far north as Kansas CityKansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, MO
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
and St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, MO. Much of the south experienced highs topping out around the century mark as far east as Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, SC
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, NY
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. On top of the actual temperatures being high, the humidity
Humidity
Humidity is a term for the amount of water vapor in the air, and can refer to any one of several measurements of humidity. Formally, humid air is not "moist air" but a mixture of water vapor and other constituents of air, and humidity is defined in terms of the water content of this mixture,...
levels were in the 50s to 60s percent levels, and dew points in the upper 60s to mid 70s created Heat Index
Heat index
The heat index is an index that combines air temperature and relative humidity in an attempt to determine the human-perceived equivalent temperature — how hot it feels, termed the felt air temperature. The human body normally cools itself by perspiration, or sweating, which evaporates and carries...
values of 105 or more in much of the affected areas. For that reason, nearly two dozen states were in eitherHeat Advisories, or Excessive Heat Warnings or Watches, with the area of most watch or warning coverage in the Mississippi River Valley region from Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
and Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
down to Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
and the Southeast Atlantic Coast, as well as parts of the Mid-Atlantic
Mid-Atlantic States
The Mid-Atlantic states, also called middle Atlantic states or simply the mid Atlantic, form a region of the United States generally located between New England and the South...
.
13 new all time maximum high temperatures were set, along with several hundred new daily high maximum temperature records.
Besides for the temperatures, the nature of the heatwave and the accompanying high pressure system area causing intensifying drought
Drought
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...
conditions, especially in areas that were already experiencing exceptional drought conditions, such as northern Alabama where the drought was exceptional even before the heat wave. It is also initiating drought conditions into the Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
and Mississippi River Valleys. Depending on exactly how long this heatwave lasts, it could have a major impact on the agricultural harvest as September and October approaches. The drought conditions will also most likely create conditions that are more favorable for wildfires and create water shortages in some communities that are already dealing with low water levels.
The persistent drought and heat wave have further decreased soil moisture to below 98-99% of normal levels.
Deaths and health impacts
More than 50 deaths were reported as well as cases of Heat exhaustion and Heat Stroke. Most occurred in the very elderly and people who could not afford air conditioning due to high energy costs. Fortunately these were sporadic cases, and most healthy people are handled the heat due to advance warning, and better preparation procedures. Most likely to be affected by the excessive heat were those working consistently outdoors, performing strenuous workManual labour
Manual labour , manual or manual work is physical work done by people, most especially in contrast to that done by machines, and also to that done by working animals...
, such as construction work, or other jobs requiring excessive pushing, pulling. It was been advised that people working these kind of jobs
Employment
Employment is a contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. An employee may be defined as:- Employee :...
seek shade when possible, take frequent breaks, wear light colored, loose fitting clothing, as well as to drink plenty of clear non-alcoholic beverages even if they did not feel thirsty. Wearing sunglasses
Sunglasses
Sunglasses or sun glasses are a form of protective eyewear designed primarily to prevent bright sunlight and high-energy visible light from damaging or discomforting the eyes. They can sometimes also function as a visual aid, as variously termed spectacles or glasses exist, featuring lenses that...
, sunscreen
Sunscreen
Sunblock is a lotion, spray, gel or other topical product that absorbs or reflects some of the sun's ultraviolet radiation on the skin exposed to sunlight and thus helps protect against sunburn...
, and a wide brimmed hat
Hat
A hat is a head covering. It can be worn for protection against the elements, for ceremonial or religious reasons, for safety, or as a fashion accessory. In the past, hats were an indicator of social status...
weren't bad ideas either, as the UV
Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays, in the range 10 nm to 400 nm, and energies from 3 eV to 124 eV...
or Ultraviolet index was expected to top at above normal levels due to the extra dry and hot weather.
Meteorological setup
The heat wave was triggered by several factors. First an unusually strong upper level ridge that has settled over the southern plains and southeastSoutheastern United States
The Southeastern United States, colloquially referred to as the Southeast, is the eastern portion of the Southern United States. It is one of the most populous regions in the United States of America....
near the Ozarks. Another was the sharp troughing over the Pacific Coast
Pacific Coast
A country's Pacific coast is the part of its coast bordering the Pacific Ocean.-The Americas:Countries on the western side of the Americas have a Pacific coast as their western border.* Geography of Canada* Geography of Chile* Geography of Colombia...
and offshore of the Atlantic. This in turn created an Omega block pattern over the US and caused weather to persist for a period of days if not weeks in some cases. Weeks the ridge eventually retrograded back towards the west which allowed some short term relief for the northeastern states
Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States is a region of the United States as defined by the United States Census Bureau.-Composition:The region comprises nine states: the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; and the Mid-Atlantic states of New...
and Mid-Atlantic
Mid-Atlantic States
The Mid-Atlantic states, also called middle Atlantic states or simply the mid Atlantic, form a region of the United States generally located between New England and the South...
, but the Mississippi River Valley and southeast were not expected to get so lucky and stayed in the oppressive heat for at least several more days. Some more widespread relief came by the end of the following month. August 2007 turned out to be one of the 20 warmest Augusts for the United States since 1895.