Advancing heat wave definitions: A policy review towards prioritizing health impacts of extreme heat
This study employs a methodology that includes a review of biometeorological indices and a systematic policy analysis of country-level heat wave definitions to assess the variability of heat protection mechanisms. By analyzing the regional coverage of heat wave definitions and warnings, the study examines the diversity of variables and threshold limits across 112 countries and territories.
The findings indicate that a significant proportion of countries define heat waves solely based on maximum temperature, while only a limited number incorporate additional factors such as minimum temperature and humidity. Furthermore, notable geographical variability is observed in the establishment of temperature limits, with countries in northern latitudes generally setting lower thresholds for defining heat waves. The study underscores the necessity for policy reforms to adjust heat warning thresholds to regionally appropriate levels in response to the increasing frequency of extreme heat events. Given the prevailing reliance on maximum temperature-centric approaches, the study argues that heat protection policies must extend beyond merely forecasting heat wave episodes. Instead, a broader perspective on heat-health associations should be adopted, incorporating heat stress indices to better account for the risks posed by extreme heat conditions.
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