June 17, 2024

Extreme Heat Coming to Maine this Week

After a stretch of relatively cool weather, summer has arrived in Maine, and weather conditions are expected to turn very hot and humid this week. Forecasts suggest that the heat wave will begin on Tuesday, impacting much of the state, and could become record-breaking on Wednesday and Thursday before easing by the weekend. Overnight temperatures are expected to remain high, preventing people from getting relief and causing heat to build up in buildings without air conditioning.

Hot weather conditions like these can cause heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, exacerbate chronic health conditions, and lead to severe complications and death. Extreme heat is infrequent in Maine, and high humidity levels make it feel even hotter by preventing the body from cooling itself efficiently through sweating. Residents and visitors may not be well-adapted to these conditions, and rates of home air conditioning, one of the best preventative factors for heat-related illness, are some of the lowest in the country. These factors put all Mainers at risk of heat-related illness. Many Mainers are more vulnerable to heat-related illness because of older age, chronic health conditions, or other factors.

Maine CDC encourages health care providers, caregivers, and public health professionals to recognize the threat that extreme heat poses to health, to become familiar with new U.S. CDC resources for clinicians, and to share relevant messages with those in their care.

Advisory (PDF)