A heat wave is a weather condition in which unusually high temperatures and humidity continue for more than two consecutive days in a geographic area. This occurs sporadically in the upper Midwestern United States.
Heat waves are deceptive.
The unpredictable nature of heat waves often leads people to believe that a heat spell will abate at any time. As a result, people fail to take appropriate precautions while the heat wave continues. Lessons from the 1995 heat wave and a review of research and of other cities' heat response plans have identified discrete action steps, that, when taken in a timely manner, may prevent many cases of heat-related illness and death. No one single agency can perform all these actions, thus a collaborative Heat Task Force has been formed to join in a coordinated plan of action. Each Task Force member organization participates in the planning and execution of the Extreme Heat Conditions Plan and has specific responsibilities in the event of a heat wave.