Dale C. S. Destin | – As we welcome the heat season in Antigua and Barbuda, it’s crucial to be mindful of the potential harm that excessive heat can pose, especially to the most vulnerable members of our community.
From soaring temperatures to intense sun rays, the summer months require us to take proactive steps to stay safe and healthy while enjoying the beauty of our island paradise.
Join us as we explore the importance of heat safety and how to protect ourselves and our loved ones during the heat season.
A Brief Overview of Our Heat Season
Our heat season runs officially from May 1 to October 31, which is also true for most of the Caribbean. During this time, the sun is at a high angle in the sky whichleads to more direct and intense solar radiation, resulting in increased heat at the Earth’s surface.
The existence of more moisture in the atmosphere also explains the greater heat at this time of the year as the water vapour serves as a natural greenhouse gas trapping the heat from the sun.
The most intense part of the heat season is July-September. During this time of the year, the temperature often reaches or exceeds 33 °C (91 °F) and peaks near 38 °C (100 °F).
The heat can be particularly intense for the wind-sheltered parts of the islands and during calm or light winds and humid days.
The measured temperature is only one side of the story regarding the heat. The other side is the heat index or feels-like temperature.
This is the temperature is a measure of how hot it feels to the human body when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature. In other words, it quantifies the combined effects of heat and humidity on our perception of temperature.
During the heat season, the heat index temperature is frequently over 42 °C (108 °F) and peaks near 54 °C (129 °F).
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