NOAA, CDC news conference to unveil new heat forecast tool and health guidance

Image showing screenshot of the new NOAA National Weather Service experimental HeatRisk tool and website for the contiguous U.S. The NWS HeatRisk page 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. 

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)

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RESOURCES
Video: NOAA, CDC news conference on new heat forecast tool and health guidance held on April 22, 2024.

 

 

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. 

Image showing how HeatRisk uses NWS forecasts and climatology with CDC data to help identify the potential risks with extreme heat, especially for heat-sensitive populations. NWS HeatRisk combines weather, climate and CDC data to identify potential dangerous heat that may lead to increased risk from health impacts. It is designed to help you understand what forecasted heat means to you and what actions you may need to take.
HeatRisk will use NWS forecasts and climatology with CDC data to help identify the potential risks with extreme heat, especially for heat-sensitive populations. (Image credit: NOAA)
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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]

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. 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

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RESOURCES
Video: NOAA, CDC news conference on new heat forecast tool and health guidance held on April 22, 2024.