A dangerous summer phenomenon that may disrupt the human body's natural cooling system

The highest temperatures may not always be the most dangerous. There is an invisible atmospheric factor that can cause the human body to lose its ability to cool itself, even though its natural system continues to function. This factor is high humidity, which can turn summer heat waves into harsher and more dangerous conditions for humans, because it reduces the efficiency of the most important means the body uses to get rid of heat, which is the evaporation of sweat.

Why does the human body need to sweat in order to cool down?

The human body has a natural system to maintain its temperature, and sweating is one of the most important means of this system. When the body temperature rises, the sweat glands secrete sweat onto the surface of the skin, and when it evaporates, heat is transferred from the body to the air, which helps to lower the internal temperature. However, the success of this process depends on the ability of the surrounding air to receive water vapor, and this is where the problem begins in very humid conditions.

How does high humidity prevent the human body from cooling down?

When humidity rises, the evaporation of sweat from the skin's surface slows down, and the body continues to lose fluids without adequate cooling.

As temperatures continue to rise, the body faces a difficult task in getting rid of the accumulated heat, and its internal temperature may rise, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion, and severe cases may develop into heatstroke.

Kuwait... where the summer heat meets the humidity of the Arabian Gulf

Kuwait is one of the most prominent examples in the Arab world of high temperatures and high humidity during the summer. During severe heat waves, temperatures may exceed 45 degrees Celsius, and at the same time, humidity may rise as a result of the influence of the Arabian Gulf waters, especially in coastal areas.

In such conditions, the question is not just: What is the temperature? But the more important question becomes: How does the human body actually feel it? High humidity may raise the sensation of heat and make the atmosphere more exhausting compared to the number recorded at weather stations, due to the difficulty of sweat evaporating and the decline in the efficiency of the body’s natural cooling system.

Could humidity be more dangerous than heat?

Yes, in some cases a lower temperature with high humidity may be more stressful on the human body than a higher temperature in dry conditions, because the body can get rid of its heat better when sweat evaporates quickly, while this process becomes more difficult when the air is saturated with humidity.

What is the temperature index and why does it matter to humans?

Weather experts do not rely on temperature alone to assess the impact of heat, but use the Heat Index, a measure that combines temperature and humidity to estimate how weather conditions affect the human body.

Scientists also use the wet-bulb temperature, which takes into account the combined effect of heat and humidity, to assess the body's ability to dissipate its heat in harsh conditions.

When do heat and humidity become a source of danger?

No single temperature or humidity level poses a risk to all people, as it depends on several factors, most notably:

• High temperatures.
• High humidity.
• Wind speed has decreased.
• Direct exposure to sunlight.
• Exerting physical effort for long periods.
• The person's age and health condition.

When these factors combine, the body may not be able to get rid of the heat quickly enough, and symptoms such as extreme fatigue, headache, dizziness, and nausea may appear.

How can you protect yourself from the dangers of heat and humidity?

• Drink plenty of water regularly.
• Avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours.
• Reduce physical activity in extremely hot weather.
• Wear light and loose clothing.
• Move to cool or shaded places when feeling stressed.

Summary

It is not just the heat that determines the danger of summer weather; high humidity may be the hidden factor that disrupts the natural cooling system in the human body.

In Kuwait and the Gulf countries, where extreme summer heat may combine with marine humidity, knowing heat sensation and indicators of heat stress becomes essential to understanding the dangers of hot weather and dealing with it properly.