Extreme Heat

Days with abnormally high temperatures are increasing, putting human health, ecosystems, and infrastructure at risk.

In the last 30 years, heat has been the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States. As our climate continues changing, more parts of the country are likely to see extreme heat days.

The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heat events mean that more people will be exposed to conditions that can lead to illness or even death, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly, outdoor workers, children, and low-income individuals.

The National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) offers authoritative information on extreme heat at  Heat.gov . NIHHIS builds understanding of the problem of extreme heat, and improves capacity, communication, and societal understanding of the problem in order to reduce morbidity and mortality due to extreme heat.


Maps

The federal government has extensive data resources that can be used at national, regional, and local levels to monitor excessive heat conditions and understand current and future trends. Here's a sampling of maps and data visualizations related to extreme heat.


Resources to explore

Here's a selection of federal resources related to extreme heat.