FORT MYERS, Fla. — A new “Killer Heat in the United States” from the Union of Concerned Scientists with an accompanying peer-reviewed study shows a hotter future for the United States, but especially in Florida.
The report forecasts an unprecedented number of days per year where the heat index exceed dangerous levels, and Southwest Florida tops the list.
Historically, Collier County averages around 64 days per year with a heat index above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The new report predicts by late century, that number will jump to 173 days per year of extremely high temperatures.
The report also predicts the number of sweltering days will quadruple for areas such as North Port-Port Charlotte, Bonita Springs, and Cape Coral.
Some days are predicted to be so hot that temperatures will be unprecedented. Co-author of the report and climate scientist Juan Declet-Barreto says these conditions will be dangerous for anyone.
“Literally those heat index conditions are off the National Weather Service’s charts for calculating the heat index. Now, this is very concerning because we could lose the ability to warn the public,” Declet-Barreto said.
Declet-Barreto says temperatures will continue to rise until the growing threat of climate change is addressed.
“Under no climate action, many more places and many more people in the United States will be exposed to off the chart conditions,” Declet-Barreto said.
