Online Tool Forecasts Dangerous Heatwaves

TRANSCRIPT:

Christina Thompson (Anchor, EarthxNews): There’s a new government system in place to help keep you and your family safe from dangerously high temperatures. It’s called NWS HeatRisk and it’s an online tool that provides a 7-day forecast for heat waves across the country.

The map will have real-time and forecasted heat and air quality information as part of a broader effort to keep people safe from heat and the medical risks it can cause. Extreme heat is now the deadliest type of weather event in the U.S., killing more people each year than floods, extreme cold, and tornadoes. Officials with NOAA say they hope these new resources will help communities plan for the upcoming summer months. With temperatures through May and June expected to be above average nationwide and while the tool has been publicly released, the project is still under active development.

Members of the public can submit feedback to the National Weather Service through the end of September.