What defines a heat wave?

Question

So here I am on Long Island baking in this heat wave. And I'm wondering they've been calling it a heat wave since Saturday when this all started. So is there a real time frame for a heat wave? Does it need to last a certain amount of time or just be a certain temperature? I always thought they were much longer.

Answer 1

idk.

Answer 2

3 days of 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more. enjoy

Answer 3

Typically, television news reporters with little else to do define heat waves.

3 days of 90 degrees and above is the real definition, though.

Answer 4

3 days or more of 90 degree temperatures and higher with an heat index of over 105

Answer 5

One man's heat wave is another man's cold spell. A heat wave is an extended period of temperatures considered extremely high for a particular area. In general, it is considered a heat wave when temperatures hover some 10° above normal for several days and are accompanied by high humidity. Normal summer temperatures in the Mediterranean may be considered heat wave conditions in Scandinavia. In the US a heat wave is often defined as a period of at least three consecutive days of temperatures over 90°F (32.2°C).

Answer 6

heat waves are defined differently depending on location and climate.  people from different parts in the world have different opinion on what temperature is considered comfortable, too hot, and too cold, based on the climate they live in.  the ones who live in a subarctic climate like alaska would probably consider 80 degrees as being very hot, whereas from someone who lives in one of the hottest deserts in the world, 80 degrees would be considered a little chilly.  in cities like chicago and new york, several days of high temperatures above 90 degrees would be considered a heat wave, but in cities like las vegas and phoenix in contrast, that would not be a heat wave.

heat waves are normally considered when certain areas experiences unusually hot weather for more than several days exceeding the average high temperature, by usually more than 10 degrees.  in addition to high temperature, heat waves are often accompanied by high humidity, making the weather dangerously hot.

Answer 7

I experienced a heat wave in Little Rock,  Arkansas while I was an observer.   Our hottest temperature was 111 degrees and a dew point of 90.     The heat heat spell had temps over 100 degrees for 30 days...    An omega block ( intense high pressure) was firmly in place and wow!!!!

Answer 8

3 days of 90°F or higher..

I'm in boston.. enjoy the "heat wave" because its over tomorow!!!

Answer 9

Usually high pressure areas cause heat waves.As per wikipedia,in the summer, in warm climates,if there is an area of high pressure with little or no rain and clouds,there is nothing to protect the air and the ground from being heated excessively.When large high pressure air is thus trapped,the ground and the air will continue to heat and the heat wave will last longer.The temperature may be more than 10 degrees from the normal and humidity may also be more.