With Reno on track to break yet more records over the next couple of days some people might be wondering why a heat advisory is not in effect. After all, we ARE seeing well above average temperatures to the tune of 25 degrees above average. The truth is that the heat index hasn't been particularly high where we are and it's the heat index which is used in part by the National Weather Service to issue alerts. What is heat index you may ask?
Heat index is a value derived from the air temperature and the accompanying relatively humidity. Essentially as relative humidity and air temperature increase, so does the heat index The heat index itself is a measure of what the temperature feels like to the human body relative to the actual temperature.Â
With higher amounts of moisture and heat ad thus higher heat index, the body isn't able to sweat as much to cool off and as a result you feel hotter. Heat index is particularly important if you are active outdoors because a higher het index can put you at risk for heat stoke. The heat index in Reno as of writing with an 85 degree air temperature is 82 degrees. This lower heat index is because of the lack of moisture in the air, with dewpoint of 20 at the airport in Reno at the time. Next time it's so warm, look at the dewpoint too, it really has an impact!
