During prolonged extreme heat, the UW’s Emergency Management office coordinates the University’s response and convenes UW’s Weather Status Assessment Group.
Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days. In extreme heat your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature.
Extreme heat is often responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards. State safety requirements for outdoor workers are required at temperatures below 90 degrees. Reference the Environmental Health & Safety Outdoor Heat Exposure website for more information.
Tracking Conditions
The UW’s Emergency Management office receives heat watches, warnings and advisories from the National Weather Service. Check the National Weather Service HeatRisk Prototype map and forecast.
The NWS HeatRisk Prototype is a color-numeric-based index that provides a forecast risk of heat-related impacts to occur over a 24-hour period. HeatRisk takes into consideration:
- How unusual the heat is for the time of the year
- The duration of the heat including both daytime and nighttime temperatures
- If those temperatures pose an elevated risk of heat-related impacts based on data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
No heat-related action needed.
Low risk for those extremely sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration.
Ensure infants, children, older adults and anyone else sensitive to heat stays cool and hydrated.
Moderate risk for those who are sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration.
- Consider limiting strenuous outdoor activities, especially during the hottest part of the day.
- Consider canceling and/or rescheduling of outdoor youth activities and athletics that take place during the hottest part of the day or consider moving them indoors.
High risk for much of the population, especially those who are heat sensitive and those without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration.
- Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
- Recommend against strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.
- Recommend canceling or rescheduling outdoor youth activities and athletic practices.
- Recommend reducing heat exposure.
- UW personnel who work outdoors take precautions: Review Environmental Health & Safety guidance and UW requirements.
Very high risk for entire population due to long duration of heat, with little to no relief overnight.
- Recommend cancellation of outdoor activities and events.
- Strongly recommend everyone take steps to reduce exposure to heat.
- UW personnel who work outdoors take precautions: Review Environmental Health & Safety guidance and UW requirements.
- Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
* Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, King County Emergency Management and National Weather Service.
Prepare
- Review UW Environmental Health & Safety website for extreme heat and outdoor worker protection requirements and guidance. Also see EH&S information about excessive indoor heat on its indoor air quality webpage.
- Review your department’s business continuity plan.
- Learn about heat-related illness and first aid.
- Schools, camps, sports teams and childcare providers should make plans for extreme heat. Follow University guidance on extreme heat published by the Office of the Youth Protection Coordinator.
Prevent heat-related emergencies
Drink lots of fluids (avoid caffeine, alcohol and high-sugar drinks). Carry a water bottle.- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
- Stay indoors and, if possible, in an air conditioned place, such as a shopping mall, library or community center.
- Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature or prevent heat-related illnesses.
- Protect yourself from the sun with a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun. - Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
- Never leave people or pets in a closed car on a warm day.
– Sources: King County Emergency Management and Washington State Department of Health.
Extreme heat alerts
If the UW limits or suspends operations due to prolonged extreme heat, information will be shared via:
- UW Alert – students, faculty and staff can sign up to receive text messages.
- Banner on UW’s website
- Recorded message on UW’s information line, 206-UWS-INFO, Toll Free: 1-866-897-INFO
- Your supervisor, department/college administrator or building coordinator.