The blistering temperatures that have been scorching the central and eastern United States on Thursday will dip at night — but not by much. They will drop only into the 70s to low 80s, about 10 to 15 degrees above normal for this time of year.
Warm overnight temperatures can be dangerous, especially in places without air-conditioning, because the body cannot cool down and recover as much. When the body overheats and its internal temperature rises, people become more susceptible to heat-related illness.
Some weather stations, forecasters said, will record night temperatures that break what are known as “daily record high minimums,” the hottest night temperatures documented on that date.
While in a heat wave it is not unusual to have high overnight lows, current conditions may be even hotter because of this heat wave’s high humidity.
“When the amount of moisture in the air is particularly high, it tends to make nights that much warmer, and daytime highs, if anything, slightly cooler than they would be if it was less humid,” said Radley Horton, a professor at Columbia University’s Climate School.
Heat can be the enemy of good sleep, but there are steps you can take to cool down at the end of the day. You can place a cool, damp rag on your forehead and wear loose, thin pajamas. A lukewarm shower can also help lower your core body temperature.
Dr. Kelly Gill, a sleep medicine specialist at Northwestern Medicine, suggested keeping socks in the refrigerator or freezer and then putting them on at the end of the day.
Dr. Indira Gurubhagavatula, a professor of sleep medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, advised not eating within two hours of going to bed to avoid raising the body’s internal temperature. She also emphasized the importance of hydrating, to make sure you can replenish the liquid you’re losing while sweating.
And if your bedroom does not have air conditioning, it is best to take pre-emptive measures to help you sleep. During the day, block out the sun by putting a sheet or blanket in your window. At night, place a fan in an open window to pull in cooler air from outside and help circulate it.
Though it’s intuitive to want to sleep uncovered, using a light sheet or summer comforter can help regulate your body temperature.
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