How Heat Killed 2k Cows Today - Wet Bulb Conditions

[OhNo-Really]

Crib Note: If humidity & temperature are both above 80, double check for Wet Bulb warnings. Chart at first citation below. And why cows died today en masse. End

Quotes from articles &!links:


“With further progression of global warming, areas in more moderate climates including Southern Europe and the US will also experience more and more days with “red” or “black” conditions.

Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)

If the combination of temperature and relative humidity reaches a certain level,

the body can no longer
cool down sufficiently
through sweating.

Especially when physically active, the body creates a lot of excess heat that can very quickly lead to heat stroke and death in bad WBGT conditions.

The following charts* show the danger of physical activity at different combinations of temperature and humidity.

See charts at link.

https://climate-preparedness.com/understanding-wet-bulb-temperature-and-why-it-is-so-dangerous/

2000 Kansas cows died this week from Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)

“Heat, humidity kill at least 2,000 Kansas cattle, state says”

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/15/heat-humidity-kill-at-least-2000-kansas-cattle-state-says.html


If your that person who pushes through outdoor chores or a round of golf no matter, I hope you check out the WBGT. Or check in to make sure immobile neighbors are ok.

It’s summertime.

[ornotna]

1. Big deal here in Florida

High heat and high humidity, it sucks.

[OhNo-Really]

2. I never heard of Wet Bulb

But jogged a lot when visiting Florida in August one year. Oops.

I’m guessing lots of people are unaware of WBGT

And I’m sorry. Beautiful place but 😢

[maxrandb]

3. The good old WGBT

Corpsman used these in the Navy. Worst I ever saw was off the coast of Namibia where the safe stay time in the Fire Room was 12 minutes.

[Takket]

6. "wet bulb" is basically another way to talk about humidity

I think most people are essentially aware that "discomfort" increases as temperature AND humidity increase. The closer the wet bulb temperature is to the dry bulb (dry bulb being what you'll read if you stick a plain old thermometer in the air), the wetter the air is. If the wet and dry bulb temperature are the same, the air is saturated (100% humidity). The hotter air is, the more water vapor (humidity) it can hold, and as humidity increases, so does wet bulb temp.

[NickB79]

4. Now imagine this hitting a major population center

Say, in India or Pakistan.

Hundreds of thousands would die in a matter of days.

It's going to happen, too. At 400+ ppm of CO2 and rising, it's inevitable.

[OhNo-Really]

7. I think it it already has

https://www.thequint.com/fit/heat-humidity-wet-bulb-temperature-india-summer-heatwave-deaths-cases

[Kaleva]

8. It's going to happen in parts of the US in the near future

[Polybius]

9. 80+ degrees and 80+ humidity?

That hits NYC all the time every Summer.

[Kaleva]

10. Here's a link to a chart that will help you

https://climate-preparedness.com/understanding-wet-bulb-temperature-and-why-it-is-so-dangerous/

[Kaleva]

11. Another useful link

https://www.weather.gov/ama/heatindex

't surprises many people to learn that the heat index values in the chart above are for shady locations. If you are exposed to direct sunlight, the heat index value can be increased by up to 15°F. As shown in the table below, heat indices meeting or exceeding 103°F can lead to dangerous heat disorders with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity in the heat.'

[keithbvadu2]

5. Some Irony: Most Likely Early Sites for Fatal Wet Bulb Extreme Temperatures are in the Persian Gulf.

https://democraticunderground.com/1127152947

Some Irony: Most Likely Early Sites for Fatal Wet Bulb Extreme Temperatures are in the Persian Gulf.

Several charts and WBGT examples.

[Novara]

12. And if you don't know what wet bulb is, check the dew point

Here's a handy site.

A good easy rule of thumb is that if the dew point is near the air temperature, it is damn humid and uncomfortable. And any dew points over 60 degrees F are uncomfortable. When the humidity is high, sweat doesn't evaporate and it doesn't cool you down.

[Delphinus]

13. Thank you

I've been trying to learn about wet bulb and this information, along with what is in the thread, will help.