Scientists have now discovered a way to predict heat waves that occur on the Eastern United States by tracking water temperatures in the North Pacific Ocean. The article states, “From 1999 to 2012, about 620 people died each year, on average, from heat-related illness in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease.” The number of deaths will only rise with the oncoming climate change. The increased awareness ahead of time would allow for everyone in society to be better prepared for the heat waves ahead of them.

Farmers would be able to prepare shady spots for their livestock, as well as upping the water release on their crops. Schools and businesses could prepare their cooling agents to make sure they are up to par for the upcoming heat. The scientists discovered this trend by studying extremely hot days during the summers from 1982 to 2015 and the temperature of the surface ocean. They found that the increased temperatures correlated with one another up to seven weeks in advance. This discovery will be extremely beneficial to the Eastern part of the United States in the future summers to come. It will be especially beneficial for when the climate really begins to change and the globe is seeing increasing temperatures.

References:

Fountain, Henry. “Scientists Find a Way to Predict U.S. Heat Waves Weeks in Advance.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 28 Mar. 2016. Web. 29 Mar. 2016.