A heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature is at least 40oC in plains, 37oC in coastal areas, and 30oC in mountains.
What does extreme heat do to our bodies?
Our bodies strive to keep a core temperature of about 37 oC whether we’re in a snowstorm or a heat wave. It is the temperature our bodies have evolved to work at. As the body gets hotter, blood vessels open up. This leads to lower blood pressure and makes the heart work harder to push the blood around the body. This can cause mild symptoms such as an itchy heat rash or swollen feet as blood vessels become leaky. At the same time, sweating leads to the loss of fluids and salt and, crucially, the balance between them in the body changes. This, combined with the lowered blood pressure, can lead to heat exhaustion. Symptoms include: Read more