scholarly journals The Impact of Extreme Heat Events on Emergency Departments in Canadian Hospitals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fraser Kegel ◽  
Owen D. Luo ◽  
Signe Richer
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Extreme Heat ◽  
Extreme Heat Events ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Heat Events

A population-based case–control study of the association between weather-related extreme heat events and low birthweight

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Wayne R. Lawrence ◽  
Aida Soim ◽  
Wangjian Zhang ◽  
Ziqiang Lin ◽  
Yi Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Control Study ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Extreme Heat ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Extreme Heat Events ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Heat Events ◽  
Control Study

Abstract Although prenatal exposure to high ambient temperatures were reported to be associated with preterm birth, limited research assessed the impact of weather-related extreme heat events (EHE) on birthweight, particularly by trimester. We, therefore, investigated the impact of prenatal EHE on birthweight among term babies (tLBW) by trimester and birthweight percentile. We conducted a population-based case–control study on singleton live births at 38–42 gestational weeks in New York State (NYS) by linking weather data with NYS birth certificates. A total of 22,615 cases were identified as birthweight <2500 gram, and a random sample of 139,168 normal birthweight controls was included. EHE was defined as three consecutive days with the maximum temperatures of ≥32.2 °C/90 °F (EHE90) and two consecutive days of temperatures ≥97th percentile (EHE97) based on the distribution of the maximum temperature for the season and region. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) with multivariable unconditional logistic regression, controlling for confounders. Overall exposure to EHE97 for 2 d was associated with tLBW (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.02, 1.09); however, the strongest associations were only observed in the first trimester for both heat indicators, especially when exposure was ≥3 d (ORs ranged: 1.06–1.13). EHE in the first trimester was associated with significant reduction in mean birthweight from 26.78 gram (EHE90) to 36.25 gram (EHE97), which mainly affected the 40th and 60th birthweight percentiles. Findings revealed associations between multiple heat indicators and tLBW, where the impact was consistently strongest in the first trimester.

scholarly journals The effect of forced change and unforced variability in heat waves, temperature extremes, and associated population risk in a CO<sub>2</sub>-warmed world

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 11889-11904
Author(s):  
Jangho Lee ◽  
Jeffrey C. Mast ◽  
Andrew E. Dessler
Keyword(s):  
Heat Waves ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
Extreme Heat ◽  
Max Planck ◽  
Extreme Heat Events ◽  
Heat Extremes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Global Population ◽  
Heat Events ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

Abstract. This study investigates the impact of global warming on heat and humidity extremes by analyzing 6 h output from 28 members of the Max Planck Institute Grand Ensemble driven by forcing from a 1 % yr−1 CO2 increase. We find that unforced variability drives large changes in regional exposure to extremes in different ensemble members, and these variations are mostly associated with El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability. However, while the unforced variability in the climate can alter the occurrence of extremes regionally, variability within the ensemble decreases significantly as one looks at larger regions or at a global population perspective. This means that, for metrics of extreme heat and humidity analyzed here, forced variability in the climate is more important than the unforced variability at global scales. Lastly, we found that most heat wave metrics will increase significantly between 1.5 and 2.0 ∘C, and that low gross domestic product (GDP) regions show significantly higher risks of facing extreme heat events compared to high GDP regions. Considering the limited economic adaptability of the population to heat extremes, this reinforces the idea that the most severe impacts of climate change may fall mostly on those least capable of adapting.

scholarly journals Climate Change and the Impact of Extreme Temperatures on Aviation

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Coffel ◽  
R. Horton
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Airline Industry ◽  
The United States ◽  
Extreme Heat ◽  
Aviation Industry ◽  
Weight Restrictions ◽  
Weight Restriction ◽  
Extreme Heat Events ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Heat Events

Abstract Temperature and airport elevation significantly influence the maximum allowable takeoff weight of an aircraft by changing the surface air density and thus the lift produced at a given speed. For a given runway length, airport elevation, and aircraft type, there is a temperature threshold above which the airplane cannot take off at its maximum weight and thus must be weight restricted. The number of summer days necessitating weight restriction has increased since 1980 along with the observed increase in surface temperature. Climate change is projected to increase mean temperatures at all airports and to significantly increase the frequency and severity of extreme heat events at some. These changes will negatively affect aircraft performance, leading to increased weight restrictions, especially at airports with short runways and little room to expand. For a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, it was found that the number of weight-restriction days between May and September will increase by 50%–200% at four major airports in the United States by 2050–70 under the RCP8.5 emissions scenario. These performance reductions may have a negative economic effect on the airline industry. Increased weight restrictions have previously been identified as potential impacts of climate change, but this study is the first to quantify the effect of higher temperatures on commercial aviation. Planning for changes in extreme heat events will help the aviation industry to reduce its vulnerability to this aspect of climate change.

scholarly journals The Effect of Forced and Unforced Variability on Heat Waves, Temperature Extremes, and Associated Population Risk in a CO<sub>2</sub>-Warmed World

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jangho Lee ◽  
Jeffery C. Mast ◽  
Andrew E. Dessler
Keyword(s):  
Heat Waves ◽  
Extreme Heat ◽  
Max Planck ◽  
Extreme Heat Events ◽  
Hourly Output ◽  
Heat Extremes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Global Population ◽  
Heat Events ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

Abstract. This study investigates the impact of global warming on heat and humidity extremes by analyzing 6-hourly output from 28 members of the Max Planck Institute Grand Ensemble driven by forcing from a 1 %/year CO2 increase. We find that unforced variability drives large changes in regional exposure to extremes in different ensemble members, and these variations are mostly associated with ENSO variability. However, while the unforced variability of the climate can alter the occurrence of extremes regionally, variability within the ensemble decreases significantly as one looks at larger regions or at a global population perspective. This means that, for metrics of extreme heat and humidity analyzed here, forced variability of the climate is more important than the unforced variability at global scales. Lastly, we found that most heat wave metrics will increase significantly between 1.5 °C and 2.0 °C, and that low GDP regions shows significant higher risks of facing extreme heat events compared to high GDP regions. Considering the limited economic adaptability of population to heat extremes, this reinforces the idea that the most severe impacts of climate change may fall mostly on those least capable to adapt.

Estimates of the impact of extreme heat events on cooling energy demand in Hong Kong

2019 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 73-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobi Eniolu Morakinyo ◽  
Chao Ren ◽  
Yuan Shi ◽  
Kevin Ka-Lun Lau ◽  
Hang-Wai Tong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Extreme Heat ◽  
Extreme Heat Events ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Cooling Energy Demand ◽  
Heat Events

scholarly journals P064: Hot days make for long stays: the impact of extreme heat events on emergency department lengths of stay and volumes in two Canadian community hospitals

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. S87-S87
Author(s):  
F. Kegel ◽  
O. Luo ◽  
S. Richer
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Services ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Extreme Heat ◽  
System Capacity ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Community Hospitals ◽  
Extreme Heat Events ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Heat Events

Introduction: The average temperature in Canada has risen 1.7°C between 1948-2016, increasing the frequency, severity and duration of extreme heat events. These events can exacerbate underlying health conditions, bringing patients to emergency departments (EDs). There is limited data associating sustained heat events to Canadian ED volumes and performance. This retrospective analysis assessed the impact of humidex and temperature on ED volume and length of stay (LOS). Methods: LOS is an indicator of ED overcrowding and system performance. The authors compared median and maximum LOS (hours) and patient volumes in both ambulatory and stretcher ED sections of two community hospitals (NDH, VH) in Montreal, QC to humidex and temperature during the summers of 2016-2018. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and post hoc means analysis with Fisher LSD tests of a priori determined thresholds of mean three-day maximum humidex and temperature preceding ED presentation. Results: The mean maximum humidex and temperature values for the 2016-2018 summers in Montreal, QC were 30.4 and 26.1°C, respectively (n = 276 days). Elevated mean three-day maximum humidex was associated with increased ED volumes (F[3,88] = 4.2,p = 0.008) and median LOS (F[3,88] = 7.7,p = 0.0001) in the NDH. Mean three-day maximum humidex was associated with ED volumes (F[3,272) = 2.9,p = 0.03) but not with median and maximum LOS (p > 0.05) in the VH. Parallel comparisons with mean three-day maximum temperature similarly showed an association with increased ED volumes (F[3,88] = 5.0,p = 0.003) and increased duration of median LOS (F[3,88] = 3.5,p = 0.02) in the NDH. Mean three-day maximum temperature was associated with increased ED volumes (F[3,272] = 3.3,p = 0.02) but not with median and maximum LOS (p > 0.05) in the VH. Conclusion: Warming climates are associated with an increased number of ED presentations and longer median ED LOS. As heat events disproportionately impacted NDH, future investigations need to determine why these two hospitals were affected differently. This study provides local evidence that climate change can disrupt emergency services by increasing the demand for and delaying timely care. This is the first study that the authors are aware of that demonstrates these findings. Hospitals need to be climate ready. Heat waves often happen during times when summer bed closures and vacations already impact system capacity. EDs should dynamically adapt to meet community needs during periods of extreme heat.

scholarly journals Spatiotemporal variation in urban overheating magnitude and its association with synoptic air-masses in a coastal city

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Saeed Khan ◽  
Mat Santamouris ◽  
Pavlos Kassomenos ◽  
Riccardo Paolini ◽  
Peter Caccetta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Extreme Heat ◽  
Daily Maximum ◽  
Synoptic Scale ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Coastal City ◽  
Extreme Heat Events ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Heat Events

AbstractUrban overheating (UO) may interact with synoptic-scale weather conditions. The association between meteorological parameters and UO has already been a subject of considerable research, however, the impact of synoptic-scale weather conditions on UO magnitude, particularly in a coastal city that is also near the desert landmass (Sydney) has never been investigated before. The present research examines the influence of synoptic-scale weather conditions on UO magnitude in Sydney by utilizing the newly developed gridded weather typing classification (GWTC). The diurnal, and seasonal variations in suburban-urban temperature contrast (ΔT) in association with synoptic-scale weather conditions, and ΔT response to synoptic air-masses during extreme heat events are investigated in three zones of Sydney. Generally, an exacerbation in UO magnitude was reported at daytime over the years, whereas the nocturnal UO magnitude was alleviated over time. The humid warm (HW), and warm (W) air-masses were found primarily responsible for exacerbated daytime UO during extreme heat events and in all other seasons, raising the mean daily maximum ΔT to 8–10.5 °C in Western Sydney, and 5–6.5 °C in inner Sydney. The dry warm (DW), and W conditions were mainly responsible for urban cooling (UC) at nighttime, bringing down the mean daily minimum ΔT to − 7.5 to − 10 °C in Western Sydney, and − 6 to − 7.5 °C in inner Sydney. The appropriate mitigation technologies can be planned based on this study to alleviate the higher daytime temperatures in the Sydney suburbs.

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