Spanish scientists have, for the first time, assigned a name to a heat wave, calling it "Zoe." According to USA Today, the scientists gave this name to a heat wave that caused temperatures to rise to 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44.4 degrees Celsius) in Seville between July 24 and July 27. José María Martín Olalla, an assistant professor in the Department of Condensed Matter Physics at the University of Seville, stated that it is a new effort to alert people to extreme temperatures and warn them of the associated risks. Hurricanes have traditionally received human names, and an informal practice of naming winter storms began in the United States in 2012. However, "Zoe" is the first name assigned to a heat wave.
The name comes as part of the proMETEO Sevilla project, an initiative by the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation affiliated with the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based research center and nonprofit organization. Seville serves as the experimental site for the project, which aims to raise public awareness about extreme heat and advocate for efforts to mitigate the risks associated with heat waves.
Heat waves are defined by the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) as periods lasting at least three consecutive days during which at least 10% of weather stations record maximum temperatures above the 95th percentile from July to August between 1971 and 2000. There is no single definition of a heat wave in the United States, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses a criterion of at least two days where the daily minimum temperature, adjusted for humidity, exceeds the 85th percentile for July and August from 1981 to 2010.
Heat waves can be dangerous, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those engaged in outdoor manual labor. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated in 2018 that the number of people exposed to extreme heat increased by 125 million annually between 2000 and 2016. In July, temperatures in England surpassed 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) for the first time ever, a level of heat that can be deadly, particularly in areas lacking air conditioning.
The United States is also experiencing periods of extreme heat due to climate change. On August 15, the First Street Foundation, a nonprofit organization, released a report highlighting areas likely to experience more frequent extreme heat in the coming decades. Their models indicate that the Deep South, Southern Arizona, and Southern and Central California will see some of the most drastic changes. For example, Miami-Dade County in Florida is projected to experience 34 days above 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees Celsius) by 2053.
While "Zoe" is the first named heat wave, it will not be the last. Authorities in Spain plan to alternate female and male names in reverse alphabetical order for future heat events. By naming heat waves, proMETEO Sevilla hopes to inform the public that they will need to exercise more caution, as reported by USA Today. During heat waves, the WHO advises to stay cool by opening windows at night to let in cooler air and keeping light out during the day.
