Heat index gives the measure of humidity. This is also known as apparent temperature. The heat index is the temperature that is felt when the relative humidity is combined with the air temperature in shaded areas.
It is a key concept for the IAS exam and can be better understood with the relevant details given about it in this article.
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Important Facts about Heat Index
| Heat Index | |
| Simple Definition of Heat Index | An index that combines air temperature and relative humidity in shaded areas to put forward a human perceived equivalent temperature. |
| What is Heat Index also called as? | There are different terms given to Heat Index:
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| The concept Head Index was developed in |
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| Heat Index contains assumptions on |
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How to Calculate Heat Index?
The heat index is calculated based on actual temperatures and relative humidity levels.
The heat index is calculated based on the result obtained from the heat index graph when relative humidity is compared against actual temperatures.
When was the Heat index introduced in India?
India’s first-ever heat Index was introduced by the Indian Meteorological Department in 2016. The heat index provides the citizens accurate and updated information on the heat conditions specific to their areas.
In 2017, IMD brought an interactive map charting the heat index status in different states of the country. The interactive map denoted colours, varying from blue to orange, which indicates the stress placed on human beings by the climatic conditions of the time.
What are the different alerts as per the Heat Index?
The different alerts as per the Heat index are mentioned below:
| Classification | Heat Index |
| Caution | 80 degree F – 90 degree F |
| High Alert | 90 degree F – 103 degree F |
| Danger | 103 degree F – 124 degree F |
| Extreme Danger | 125 degree F or higher |
In addition to the terminologies described above in the table, the index also comprises a colour coding to provide the range of alerts. The Heat index can also be used to retrieve information on health hazards if the temperatures and humidity levels cross a particular value.
Heat Index Related Articles:
| Indian Meteorological Department | Heat Wave Risk Reduction | Types of Rainfall |
| Rainfall Distribution in India | Climate Change in India | Climate Change |
UPSC Preparation:
| UPSC 2021 Calendar | UPSC Books |
| UPSC Syllabus | UPSC Notes |
| NCERT Notes For UPSC | UPSC Prelims |
| UPSC 2021 | UPSC Current Affairs |
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