heat

A typical Charlotte summer day with a high near 90 degrees is not classified as extreme heat, that's reserved for “abnormal” temperatures. Unhoused people, however, experience these temperatures differently since they are often outside all day, unable to cool off.

People who live outside in unstable housing are vulnerable to any kind of weather — storms, floods, temperature changes. WFAE followed street outreach workers to see how they help people survive outside during the summer.

Charlotte’s always been hot in the summer. In July 1970, the average temperature high was 89 degrees. Now, though, those average highs are at 91 degrees, and extreme heat is officially Charlotte’s number one climate risk.

The heat index in Charlotte soared to 109 degrees during this week’s heat wave. Pre-existing health conditions, dehydration and exertion can make heat stress worse … but for many workers, taking it easy during a heat wave isn’t an option.

Heat wave. Heat dome. High pressure system. By any name and measure, the heat this week is a public health threat for everyone, but especially unhoused people, senior citizens and people with disabilities.

Much of the central and eastern U.S. is sweltering under dangerously hot and humid conditions, with temperatures near 100 degrees. The heat index in Charlotte is as high as 108 during the first heat wave of the summer. We examine the impact of excessive heat on health, how to stay safe, and why Mecklenburg is one of North Carolina's hardest-hit counties.

If you thought Monday was hot, just wait until Tuesday afternoon.

The heat index on Tuesday is predicted to reach the mid-100s locally as a high-pressure system moves in from the Midwest, coinciding with a high relative humidity. Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States — every year, high temperatures drive hundreds of people to the emergency room in Mecklenburg County, and is among the counties with the most heat deaths.

The county heat plan includes extending hours of cooling centers, pools and spraygrounds, as well as providing free public transportation to these locations on CATS.

Now that we’re in the summer months, the humid heat of the South rules our days. WFAE’s Tommy Tomlinson, in his "On My Mind" commentary, says the heat is part of what shaped us.