Early & Intense Heat Waves Hitting Europe, Asia & The U.S.

Over a month before the official start of summer, we are seeing an increase in the frequency and intensity of heat waves. From California to Spain, Thailand and more, heatwaves are currently threatening people, property and productivity around the world. Many countries are reporting record-breaking temperatures and prolonged heat waves. Heat Waves occur when high temperatures and humidity levels persist for several days or even weeks, and they can cause significant health & safety concerns, as well as lead to blackouts and power outages. While it’s important to prepare for high heat and heat waves every year, this year is already shaping up to be a more important time than ever.

California

Temperatures across California started to rise in late April, with parts of Southern California experiencing record-high temperatures. When dealing with the scorching temperatures of any heatwave, there is an increase in energy consumption as people turn to air conditioning to stay cool. This increased use requires a greater amount of electricity and creates a strain on the transmission lines and power grid. These situations cause unexpected and prolonged power outages due to equipment failure or overloading of the grid.

Thailand & India

Thailand is also experiencing record-breaking temperatures, with many towns and cities reporting temperatures of over 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius). Again, electricity consumption is also at a record level as people run air conditioning and fans 24 hours a day. Other parts of Asia, including Bangladesh and India, are being hit with extreme heat that has led to power cuts and shortages for millions of people. One report stated that in the southern Thai island of Phuket, the heat index or “feels like” temperature would be a staggering 129.2 degrees Fahrenheit (54 degrees Celsius).

Spain & Portugal

Spain and Portugal are likewise recording extreme heat waves where temperatures have exceeded by 10 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (6 to 14 degrees Celsius) above their historical average by the end of April. In Spain, the city of Cordoba, located in the southernmost part of the country, reached a massive 101.8 degrees Fahrenheit (38.8 degrees Celsius). In Portugal, the municipality of Mora had its temperatures spiked to 98.4 degrees Fahrenheit (36.9 degrees Celsius). The heatwave is thought to be the result of hot, dry air masses from Africa, which not only increases the risk of forest fires in both countries but also the potential for drought.

Environment Monitoring With Room Alert

It’s alarming to see heat waves strike all around the world and the hot weather is just getting started. Though we cannot control the weather, businesses, organizations and facilities can implement proactive measures to help keep the heat under control. For example, Room Alert can be installed in warehouses to oversee workplace safety. At just 80 degrees Fahrenheit, (26 degrees Celsius) heat-related illnesses can begin to impact employees. You can configure your Room Alert platform to comply with OSHA mandates and best practices. Then if Room Alert detects the heat index has surpassed safe conditions, it can alert you to take corrective action such as turning on the AC for your workers to prevent heat-related illness.

Outside of safety concerns for people, the impact of heatwaves on infrastructure should not be underestimated. Data centers and other critical infrastructure are vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat. Heat in data centers can cause equipment to malfunction and even fail, leading to unplanned outages. These outages can be costly, not only in terms of lost revenue but also in terms of damage to equipment and infrastructure. Luckily, Room Alert also has data centers covered. Room Alert can quickly and easily be installed in data centers to help you follow ASHRAE Recommended Data Center Temperature & Humidity ranges. You and your team will be promptly notified of environmental threats before equipment overheating/failure, irreversible data loss, warping of materials and hardware corrosion occurs.

Room Alert environment monitoring can help prevent costly unplanned outages by alerting employers, facility managers and IT professionals to when heat waves or other environmental conditions may threaten people, property and productivity.

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