Researchers at an environmental nonprofit say that the number of days with dangerously humid heat is increasing – particularly in the Midwest and South – and that’s affecting people’s health.
Analysis from scientists at the group Climate Central shows the number of days with heat index values above 90 degrees is increasing in parts of the country, making the air wetter and hotter.
“We know that humid heat is increasing with climate change, because as the temperature gets hotter, it also makes the atmosphere’s capacity to hold moisture increase,” said Kaitlyn Trudeau, an applied climate scientist with the group. “So you can think of it like a sponge that soaks up water, but as air gets hotter, it’s just basically a bigger sponge.”…