Climate Shift Index: Humid Heat
Data, Graphs, and Maps
Grades9, 10, 11, 12, APEarth and Space Sciences
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Climate Central
What it is
- This interactive tool maps how climate change is influencing daily humid heat and related health risks.
- Students can explore a humid heat and health map, a climate signal map, and a wet-bulb temperature map.
Teaching tips
Prerequisites:
- Define wet-bulb temperature before students explore the map. Consider using this article as an introduction to the topic.
- Discuss why high humidity makes heat more dangerous.
Classroom Implementation:
- Use in a unit on climate, heat, and the human body.
- Have students look up the humid heat signal for their own location and for a region near the equator, and compare results.
Sustainable Development Goal Connections:
- Use this resource to make connections to SDG 3, Good Health and Well-Being, and SDG 13, Climate Action.
From the scientist review
This GIS tool maps dangerous humid heat around the world day by day. Up-to-date data are sourced from trusted NOAA GFS forecasts, and this map is based on a peer-reviewed article linked under the ‘Learn more’ tab. Most impactful is how the maps clearly show where humid heat is due to climate change. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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Hosted on csi.climatecentral.org
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