Drought assessment and management for heat waves monitoring

Abstract

Heat is related to exceptionally high temperatures. Heat generally means thermal discomfort, which activates the thermoregulatory system of the body. Continuous heat increases the discomfort and may cause adverse effects on health, particularly when combined with high levels of humidity or when exacerbated by a person’s physical condition. If heat lasts for several days or longer, it is called a heat wave. Moreover, prolonged drought periods also result in reduced humidity, high to very high temperatures, land degradation, possibly desertification, and heat waves or even forest fires. The objective of this chapter is to present a heat waves monitoring methodology that is based on drought assessment and management. The chapter presents a two-stage methodology for monitoring the severity of heat waves over a region. In the first stage, we start with drought quantification through a composite index, followed by drought assessment on a monthly basis, whereby the affected areas are identified. In the second stage, a heat waves frequency analysis is conducted. Finally, a methodology for heat waves monitoring is developed for the affected areas on a daily basis. © 2018 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.