Weather Extremes and Climate Analysis

Heat Waves

Heat waves are already affecting human health.  With future climate warming, heat waves will become more frequent, more intense, and longer lasting.  Heat waves are also becoming more humid, with less nighttime cooling. Our group has studied heat waves of the past to improve understanding of heat wave variability and change, as well as heat waves from climate model projections to study future heat wave behavior and anticipated impacts on human health and society.  Our research topics include:

*Heat wave variability in a changing climate

*The impacts of heat waves on human health

*Heat waves associated with Santa Ana winds

*The effect of heat waves on snow melt and water resources in California