CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 08/09/07

Health concerns mount with several days around 100

By David Emory Stooksbury
University of Georgia

The impact of hot weather on human and animal health is cumulative and increases with the number of days without relief. Researchers have found a large increase in people and animals suffering major heat-related health problems beginning on the third day of a heat wave.

Just as important, and sometimes more important, is how much cooling occurs at night. If the heat index at night doesn't fall below 74 degrees, people and animals have a hard time recovering from the daytime heating. Without adequate recovery time in a cool environment, heat-related health problems increase.

The heat-related health problems are a concern especially for the elderly, those with underlying health problems and those on medications that interfere with the body's ability to cool.

Because of the dire consequences of heat-related medical problems, be sure you check or friends and relatives during the current heat wave.

Since the impact of heat is cumulative, check a number of times over the next several days. Even when the high temperatures fall back into the middle 90s, checking on family and friends is still in order.

Animals that can't get to well-ventilated shade and don't have a ready supply of cool, fresh, drinking water are also at risk. A doghouse in an open pen doesn't supply well-ventilated shade.

Many locations in Georgia are approaching 103 degrees this week. Here are the last times these Georgia places reached 103 degrees or higher prior to 2007:

  • Albany: June 26, 1998 (103 degrees).
  • Alma: July 20, 2000 (104).
  • Athens: July 31, 1999 (103).
  • Atlanta: July 17, 1980 (105 - record high for Atlanta).
  • Augusta: Aug. 4, 2006 (103).
  • Blairsville: Has never recorded a temperature greater than 100.
  • Columbus: Aug. 18, 2000 (104).
  • Rome: Aug. 22, 1983(103).
  • Savannah: July 20, 2000 (104).

Below are runs of three or more 100-degree days in a row since 1950:

Albany (last 100 degree day before 2007: July 16, 2006)::

  • Aug. 1-3, 1999
  • June 28 - July 2, 1998
  • June 22-26, 1998
  • June 21-23, 1990
  • July 31 - Aug. 3, 1986
  • July 20-22, 1986
  • July 13-16, 1986
  • June 5-7, 1985
  • July 25-27, 1983
  • July 23-25, 1981
  • July 15-18, 1981
  • June 16-24, 1981
  • Aug. 21-23, 1980
  • Aug. 6-10, 1980
  • July 9-15, 1980
  • July 4-6, 1979
  • June 13-15, 1963
  • May 26-28, 1962
  • May 20-22, 1962
  • September 10-12, 1954
  • July 16-18, 1951
  • June 26-28, 1950

Alma (last 100 degree day before 2007: Aug. 6, 2006):

  • June 22-25, 1998
  • Aug. 25-31, 1995
  • Aug. 16-20, 1995
  • July 30-Aug. 2, 1986
  • June 2-6, 1985
  • July 14-17, 1981
  • July 11-13, 1980
  • Aug. 6-8, 1963
  • June 26-28, 1954
  • July 23-25, 1952
  • July 13-15, 1951

Athens (last 100 degree day before 2007: Aug. 4, 2006):

  • Aug. 6-9, 2007
  • July 30 - Aug. 1, 1999
  • July 27-29, 1993
  • July 18-22, 1993
  • July 18-21, 1986
  • June 4-6, 1985
  • Aug. 19-24, 1983
  • July 21-24, 1983
  • Aug. 6-9, 1980
  • July 1-3, 1970
  • June 20-22, 1964
  • July 1-3, 1954
  • July 27-29, 1952
  • June 26-28, 1952

Atlanta (last 100 degree day before 2007: Aug. 18, 2000):

  • July 27-29, 1993
  • July 19-21, 1986
  • Aug. 6-9, 1980
  • July 11-13, 1980
  • July 22-24, 1952

Augusta (last 100 degree day before 2007: Aug. 4, 2006):

  • Aug. 5-9, 2007
  • Aug. 10-14, 1999
  • July 30 - Aug. 1, 1999
  • June 27-30, 1998
  • July 28-30, 1993
  • July 19-21, 1993
  • July 9-11, 1993
  • July 3-6, 1993
  • June 8-11, 1993
  • July 5-11, 1990
  • June 29 - July 1, 1990
  • July 22-24, 1987
  • July 18-21, 1986
  • July 8-11, 1986
  • June 1-6, 1985
  • Aug. 19-23, 1983
  • Aug. 5-8, 1980
  • July 11-13, 1980
  • June 27-29, 1978
  • July 20-22, 1977
  • July 7-12, 1977
  • Aug. 21-24, 1968
  • July 31 - Aug. 3, 1953
  • July 28-30, 1952
  • July 20-24, 1952
  • June 24-28, 1952
  • July 12-14, 1951
  • June 24-27, 1950

Blairsville (last 100 degree day before 2007: June 29, 1936) Blairsville has only reached 100 degrees three times since temperature records started in 1931:

  • July 23, 1934
  • July 25, 1934
  • June 29, 1936

Columbus (last 100 degree day before 2007: July 16, 2006):

  • Aug. 16-19, 2000
  • July 30 - Aug. 2, 1999
  • Aug. 14-18, 1995
  • July 20-22, 1993
  • July 30 - Aug. 2, 1986
  • July 19-21, 1986
  • June 4-6, 1985
  • Aug. 20-24, 1983
  • July 10-14, 1980
  • July 13-16, 1977
  • July 6-8, 1977
  • July 23-25, 1952

Macon (last 100 degree day before 2007: Aug. 4, 2006):

  • Aug. 7-9, 2007
  • July 18-21, 2006
  • June 21-23, 2006
  • July 17-19, 2002
  • Aug. 11-14, 1999
  • July 31 - Aug. 2, 1999
  • June 28-30, 1998
  • July 26-29, 1993
  • July 16-21, 1993
  • July 6-10, 1990
  • June 30-July 2, 1990
  • June 19-21, 1990
  • July 28 - Aug. 2, 1986
  • July 18-21, 1986
  • July 8-13, 1986
  • June 2-6, 1985
  • Aug. 19-24, 1983
  • July 22-25, 1983
  • July 14-17, 1981
  • Aug. 20-22, 1980
  • Aug. 5-9, 1980
  • July 9-13, 1980
  • June 27-30, 1978
  • July 12-14, 1977
  • July 6-8, 1977
  • June 27-29, 1977
  • June 12-14, 1977
  • July 1-3, 1970
  • Aug. 21-24, 1968
  • July 12-14, 1966
  • June 27-30, 1959
  • Aug. 11-13, 1954
  • June 30 - July 3, 1954
  • June 25-28, 1954
  • July 28-30, 1952
  • July 23-25, 1952
  • July 19-21, 1952
  • June 24-28, 1952
  • July 14-16, 1951
  • July 24-27, 1950

Rome (last 100 degree day before 2007: Aug. 11, 2006):

  • July 28-30, 1993
  • July 6-9, 1977
  • Aug. 31-Sept 2, 1957
  • Aug. 1-3, 1957
  • Aug. 9-12, 1956
  • July 28-30, 1955
  • September 3-7, 1954
  • Aug. 14-18, 1954
  • July 13-16, 1954
  • July 4-8, 1954
  • June 30-July 2, 1954
  • June 26-28, 1954
  • July 27-29, 1952
  • July 22-25, 1954

Savannah (last 100 degree day before 2007: July 15, 2006):

  • June 28-30, 1998
  • July 16-18, 1993
  • July 10-12, 1993
  • July 18-21, 1986
  • July 8-12, 1986
  • June 1-4, 1985
  • July 17-19, 1983
  • July 13-16, 1981
  • June 21-23, 1981
  • June 15-18, 1981
  • July 10-13, 1980
  • July 7-9, 1977
  • Aug. 4-6, 1954
  • July 23-25, 1952
  • June 24-27, 1952

Updated weather information is at www.georgiaweather.net. This University of Georgia network has 71 automated weather stations statewide.

(David Emory Stooksbury is the state climatologist and a professor of engineering and atmospheric sciences in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.)

David Emory Stooksbury is associate professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Experts/Sources:
David E. Stooksbury, Ph.D.
University and state leaders cut the ribbon during the Science and Ag Hill dedication ceremony. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA) CAES News
UGA dedicates first phase of Science and Ag Hill modernization 11/01/24
The University of Georgia held a dedication ceremony on Oct. 30 to celebrate the completion of the first phase of renovations to modernize research and instruction facilities and infrastructure on UGA’s Science and Ag Hill. This area of campus, located just south of Sanford Stadium, includes buildings dedicated to a variety of scientific disciplines such as biology, physics, geology and agricultural sciences.
CAES doctoral students Sofia Varriano and Leniha Lagarde follow farmer Clay Brady to the pasture where many of his chickens are kept. CAES News
UGA researchers study how free-range chickens influence farm sustainability 10/31/24 Maria M. Lameiras
Researchers in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are studying how pastured and free-range chickens impact ecosystems on integrated crop-livestock farms. Supported by a $749,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, entomology doctoral student Sofia Varriano and her thesis advisor, agroecologist and systems biology Professor Bill Snyder, are testing the promise of integrated crop-livestock agriculture to increase the sustainability of smaller farms.
Kaytlyn Cobb is now spearheading a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm as regional assistant director. CAES News
Kaytlyn Cobb joins UGA Grand Farm to boost agricultural innovation in Georgia 10/30/24 Sean Montgomery
Growing up in north Georgia’s Franklin County, Kaytlyn Cobb knew her aspirations in agriculture would always lead her to new opportunities. Inspired by her dedicated community and diverse background, Cobb is now spearheading a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm as regional assistant director. Hired in August, Cobb hit the ground running to continue development of the fast-forming ecosystem between Grand Farm, the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and global strategic partners.
Kevan Lamm teaching undergraduate students CAES News
CAES researchers prepare students to address complex challenges of the future 10/29/24 Emily Cabrera
Over the next three years, researchers in the University of Georgia’s Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication aim to transform undergraduate education in agricultural and environmental sciences by integrating systems thinking — an approach that encourages students to see the bigger picture by understanding how different components within a system interact.
Thermal imaging technology could improve the production of fruits and vegetables. CAES News
Thermal imaging may help fruits, veggies stay fresher longer 10/28/24 Savannah Peat
Before your favorite produce arrives at the grocery store, it must be carefully harvested and maintained across long stretches of time. A recent University of Georgia review suggests new temperature measuring technologies could make that process much simpler, amid growing agricultural challenges fueled by fluctuating climates. Maintaining temperature, humidity and light is critical to ensuring fruits and vegetables don’t spoil or deteriorate rapidly. Temperature spikes are the root of adverse outcomes, so monitoring these changes quickly and accurately is key.
At the 2024 Georgia Life Sciences Summit held Oct. 21-22 in Atlanta, Professor Quingguo “Jack” Huang of the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences received the Golden Helix Innovation Award for his research in technologies to mitigate “forever chemicals” in water resources. (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker) CAES News
Georgia Bio awards recognize UGA inventor, corporate partners 10/25/24 Carson McAfee
University of Georgia Professor Quingguo “Jack” Huang, Delta Innovation Hub resident Dalan Animal Health, and Athens manufacturer Meissner Corporation were recognized for their achievements in the life science industry at Georgia Bio’s Georgia Life Sciences Summit, held Oct. 21-22 in Atlanta. The Golden Helix Awards celebrate the contributions of Georgia legislative, academic, corporate, and advocacy leaders working to grow the life science industry and foster strategic partnerships that create a healthier world.