There have been six drownings in Western Massachusetts since June 20 in Holyoke, West Springfield, Otis, Pittsfield, South Hadley and Springfield. Watch video
An expected two-week long spike of heat and high humidity is uncomfortable to most, unhealthy for some and deadly for others.
Officials are warning those with health conditions that the heat and humidity can exacerbate their ailments, at least six people have died in area drowning accidents since June 20 and those who work outside are being warned to take extra breaks after a 45-year-old Medford U.S. Postal worker died while delivering mail in the heat wave Friday.
The high heat and humidity is making breathing a chore for some but the effects of the weather vary depending on the person, said Dr. Jonathan Bayuk, allergist and clinical immunologist with the Hampden County Physician Associates.
With the humidity and heat the air doesn’t move, pollution gets trapped in the air and exacerbates respiratory ailments. In addition high ozone levels from the heat cause breathing problems, he said.
Making things worse, this is the end of the pollen season and the large amount of rain is increasing mold counts and allergens in the air, Bayuk said.
The hot days also put stress on people’s lungs and heart.
Bayuk called it a “perfect storm” for those with respiratory ailments.
Dr. Joseph Schmidt from Baystate Medical Center said some have complications from medications that make breathing problems and coping with the heat more difficult.
“If there are multiple of days, that doesn’t allow people to get back to their baseline. Not that one day can’t be dangerous, but two, three or four seem to put a bigger stress (on the body,)” he said.
The one blessing with the oppressive heat and humidity is a southerly breeze is keeping the air moving, said Meteorologist Nick Morganelli of CBS 3 Springfield, media partner of The Republican and Masslive.com.
“We haven’t had any air quality alerts with this heat wave,” he said.
The official heat wave was broken Monday in every place except Westfield, where temperatures hit 90 degrees for the sixth day in a row.
The dew points are still in the 70s in most places, which is oppressive humidity, but they have dropped a little especially in the hilltowns and Franklin County. The combination of the slight drop in temperatures and humidity have made a difference in the comfort level, he said.
Tuesday and Wednesday will be essentially a repeat of Monday and there will be pop up showers, Morganelli said.
Thursday a cold front will try to sneak in bringing more rain and there may be a little relief on Friday into Saturday with dew points dropping to the low to mid 60s and temperatures in the low 80s.
“It won’t last too long,” he said. Over the weekend the humidity will come back, the heat will come back.”
Relief is not expected until late next week, he said.
There have also been an unusually high number of drownings this summer.
A number of law enforcement agencies, including the state Environmental Police, continued a search for a 5-year-old girl who accidentally fell into the Connecticut River Saturday from a dock while her family was gathering to watch fireworks.
The Northwest District Attorney’s Office said the child, whose family was visiting from California, is presumed dead.
“We had a very, very busy weekend with boating accidents,” said Environmental Police Capt. Robert Forsythe.
The heavy rain has increased the flow of the water, which creates high currents, a strong undertow and extra debris so boaters and swimmers should use extra caution.
Forsythe recommended boaters wear life jackets and swimmers should stay ideally stay in waters with lifeguards.
Staff Writer Diane Lederman contributed to this report