TULSA, Okla. — A heat index takes both the temperature and moisture level of the air into account.
A higher humidity summer day will take more of a toll on your body than a dry day. The heat index is an estimate of the feel-like temperature to our bodies.
On a dry, but hot day, our skin will sweat, but that was sweat can evaporate into the air, cooling your body.
On a humid day, your skin can’t evaporate as much sweat, and it becomes tougher to cool your body.
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A day with high humidity and heat can be more dangerous to us. These types of days can also lead to more heat illnesses. The heat index is a way to gauge your threat.
This can lead to heat exhaustion if you’re not prepared to overexert yourself.
Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which is a more serious and deadly condition where you skin may dry out and become red.
Hydrating and moving into a cooler, shaded location will help prevent heat exhaustion from leading to heat stroke.
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