Film info
Film summary
Heat waves form when an area of high pressure becomes stationary over a region. The heat wave that struck Chicago brought hot sunny tropical weather, but its effects were devastating.
Key facts
- A heat wave is a period of unusually hot weather.
- Heat waves often take the local population by surprise.
- People are unable to adapt to the sudden new conditions.
- In Chicago a five-day heat wave killed 525 people.
Transcript
Over thousands of years, humans have adapted to life in high temperature environments.
But a heat wave is a form of extreme weather, which produces a rapid and considerable increase in average temperature, giving populations little time to adjust to the new conditions.
Heat waves form when a high-pressure air mass …
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