A glance at the new NOAA National Weather Service experimental HeatRisk tool and website for the contiguous U.S. The tool provides heat forecasts in a climatological context with CDC-based health impact messaging by taking into account how unusual the heat is for the time of year, the duration of the heat (including both daytime and nighttime temperatures) and if those temperatures pose an elevated risk of heat-related impacts based on CDC data. (Image credit: NOAA)
On Earth Day — ahead of the hot summer season — NOAA and CDC invite reporters to a news conference where new heat forecast tools supporting public health will be unveiled.
Heat is one of the deadliest forms of weather, and climate change is causing more frequent, intensive and longer heatwaves. Heat can exacerbate health problems for people, especially those who are pregnant, have cardiovascular disease or suffer from asthma.
WHAT
NOAA, CDC news conference on new heat forecast tool and health guidance
WHEN
Monday, April 22, 2024 at 11 a.m. EDT
WHERE
Unity Health Care’s Brentwood Health Center
1251-B Saratoga Ave, NE, 2nd floor
Washington, DC 20018
Note: This federally qualified health center serves patients who will benefit from the new heat guidance. Providers work with the unhoused and other high risk populations at this location.
WHO
- Don Graves, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce
- Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Rick Spinrad, Ph.D., NOAA Administrator
- Ken Graham, Director, NOAA’s National Weather Service
- Ari Bernstein, MD, MPH, Director, National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
RSVP
Reporters interested in attending in-person must register by providing the names of the reporter/producer and camera crew to Michael Musher, Michael.Musher@noaa.gov, by 4:00 p.m. EDT on April 19. For questions, please call 771-233-1304. Camera crews must arrive by 10:00 a.m. on the day of the event.
Parking: The lot entrance is on Saratoga Ave at the Israel Baptist Church. Once on the church’s property, take the driveway downhill to the health center parking lot. Staff will direct you to a free parking spot. [Building Information offsite link]
VIRTUAL REGISTRATION
Reporters who are unable to attend in person may participate via Zoom. Register to receive a link to the live stream of the event offsite link. Virtual participants will have the ability to ask questions during the Q&A portion of the event.
Media contact
Michael Musher, michael.musher@noaa.gov, (771) 233-1304
