July and August are the hottest and driest months of the summer; you’ve probably heard someone say, “At least it’s a dry heat.” But what makes Utah’s heat “dry,” and what does it mean for our health and environment?
What Is ‘Dry Heat,’ Anyway?
It all comes down to humidity, or the lack thereof. Utah has a dry, semi-arid desert climate with some of the lowest levels of humidity in the country, averaging 74.3% in December and 35.9% in July.
🥵 Bad news: In urban areas like Salt Lake City, 64% of residents live in heat islands, where buildings, roads, and pavement trap extra heat. This can make the city at least eight degrees warmer.
☁️ Good news: Our dry atmosphere is what gives Utah skies their vivid blue hue.
Dry Heat and Your Health
Low humidity makes summer heat feel more tolerable, but it also presents a higher risk of dehydration since our sweat evaporates quicker. For people with diabetes, high temperatures can affect how insulin is absorbed and how glucose monitors function.
And there’s a reason we’re all so snotty. Dry air can dry out our sinuses, causing excess mucus production. This can worsen allergy symptoms, increase the risk of sinus infections, aggravate asthma, and contribute to eczema flare-ups. The heat can even have an adverse effect on our mental health.
Dry Heat and Our Environment
Hot, dry, and windy conditions that fuel wildfires are becoming more frequent. The number of “fire weather” days has risen significantly in Utah, giving more opportunity to spread once ignited. The dryness also contributes to our toxic dust problem.
Meaning, summers aren’t just hot, they’re hazy as hell 🌫️
What To Do
🚰 Stay hydrated, don’t wait until you're thirsty
🥶 Keep chill, consider a swamp cooler
👀 Monitor air quality and wildfire alerts
🤧 Feeling snotty? Try a humidifier.
