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As the fast-approaching southwest monsoon gradually drowns out the summer, it will also help ease and then erase the memories of a brutal season past. Even then, an unease is expected to continue lingering in the minds of most Indians: something just wasn’t right this year. Studies have already shown time and again that deadly heat is becoming a frequent phenomenon in India. With temperatures expected to touch a scorching 54°C, extreme conditions are rendering an increasing number of places unliveable. This includes India’s highly developed metro cities, which are dealing with their own set of unique heat troubles. Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has shed light on an alarming trend: not only are <keyword id="21052325" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heatwaves" source="keywords">heatwaves</keyword> are becoming deadlier in India’s major cities, temperatures aren’t dropping enough to provide sufficient respite at night either. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Deadlier heatwaves" comment="subhead" text="Deadlier heatwaves">Deadlier heatwaves</cmsannotation> Spanning over 23 years from January 2001 to April 2024, the study meticulously analysed data from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, and <keyword id="6354321" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bengaluru" source="Orion">Bengaluru</keyword>. While their air temperatures haven’t witnessed a dramatic rise during the specified period, these areas have continued to witness an increase in their relative <keyword id="20237161" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="humidity" source="keywords">humidity</keyword>. The researchers think that this may also be heightening the <keyword id="21177615" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heat-stress" source="keywords">heat stress</keyword> — a measure combining air and land temperatures along with relative humidity — and intensifying the discomfort and <keyword id="19977451" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-risks" source="keywords">health risks</keyword> for the city’s inhabitants. Another of the main culprits behind the discomfort in Indian metros may be due to the way <keyword id="21384366" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="urban-sprawl" source="keywords">urban sprawl</keyword> has spread massively in the past few years. The CSE study found that the rapid expansion of urban areas has led to a significant reduction in <keyword id="20113356" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-cover" source="keywords">green cover</keyword>, coupled with a surge in concrete surfaces. In cities like Chennai, green spaces have dwindled by nearly 14% over the past two decades, while concrete infrastructure has doubled. Even Bengaluru, a city earlier famed for its abundance of garden-like spaces, has only 7% green cover left, an earlier IISc study had found. This transformation contributes to the "<keyword id="21843173" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="urban-heat-island-effect" source="keywords">urban heat island effect</keyword>," where concrete-trapped heat is making urban regions notably warmer than their rural counterparts. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Minimums on the rise" comment="subhead" text="Minimums on the rise">Minimums on the rise</cmsannotation> However, what’s particularly concerning is the decline in nighttime cooling. Historically, cities would cool down considerably at night, providing much-needed relief from the daytime heat. However, the study reveals that this cooling effect has substantially decreased, exposing residents to prolonged periods of high temperatures without respite. The continuous exposure to heat, compounded by high humidity, exacerbates health risks, making heat stress and related illnesses more prevalent and potentially deadly at lower temperatures. The health implications are dire. The study observed an increase in the number of days with a heat index — what the weather “feels like” — surpassing 41°C in cities such as Kolkata and Chennai. Furthermore, the monsoon season, once a period of relief, now brings hotter and more humid conditions in some cities compared to the pre-monsoon months. As most might know, high humidity undermines the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating, increasing the risk of heat stress and related illnesses In response to these findings, CSE Executive Director Anumita Roychowdhury highlighted the necessity for in-depth assessments of heat trends, relative humidity, land surface temperatures, and diurnal temperature variations. These assessments are crucial for developing effective heat management plans that extend beyond emergency responses to encompass long-term strategies, such as expanding green spaces, enhancing water bodies, and improving thermal comfort in buildings. The study also called for reversing detrimental land use patterns and implementing scientifically grounded measures to monitor and mitigate urban heat stress. The time for action is now, as the repercussions of inaction could be devastating for millions residing in India's rapidly growing urban centers. The CSE report can be found <a href="https://www.cseindia.org/content/downloadreports/12191" data-type="tilCustomLink">here</a>.

Feeling like nights are getting too uncomfortable? New report confirms that nighttime temperatures aren’t dipping enough

<keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword> and other <keyword id="21404749" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tropical-nations" source="keywords">tropical nations</keyword> are bracing for exceptionally <keyword id="21334318" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="high-temperatures" source="keywords">high temperatures</keyword> and <keyword id="21404748" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="humidity-levels" source="keywords">humidity levels</keyword>, as indicated by a recent study. This study, which analysed heat and humidity extremes spanning 45 years, warns of a 70% likelihood of unprecedented <keyword id="21052325" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heatwaves" source="keywords">heatwaves</keyword> and humidity levels in tropical regions, including India. The concerning forecast is attributed to the interaction between <keyword id="21194763" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="El-Nio" source="keywords">El Niño</keyword> and global warming. El Niño, characterised by warmer-than-average sea temperatures in the Pacific, influences weather patterns worldwide. During these events, heat and moisture are injected into the upper atmosphere, elevating temperatures and humidity in tropical areas like India. The study suggests that the peak of these upper-level temperatures typically occurs five months after the El Niño peak. The recent occurrence of a Super El Niño in December 2023 has already impacted winter and forthcoming summer seasons, but its full effect is anticipated in the upcoming summer months. The projected rise in <keyword id="21404750" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wet-bulb-temperatures" source="keywords">wet bulb temperatures</keyword> to 26.2°C carries a 68% chance of breaking existing records. Wet bulb temperature, factoring in heat and humidity alongside evaporation's cooling effect, is crucial in gauging human discomfort and assessing heat-related risks. Tropical regions with wet bulb temperatures exceeding 30°C can pose severe health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups. Northern India, known for its humid heat stress, faces a 50% likelihood of record-breaking heat and humidity this summer. Similarly, the Sahel region in Africa also faces heightened risks, with a 35% chance of record humid heat. While natural occurrences like volcanic eruptions or shifts to cooler La Niña conditions may influence predictions, the study underscores the importance of long-term planning to mitigate the impacts of <keyword id="21404751" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="extreme-heat-events" source="keywords">extreme heat events</keyword> aggravated by <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword> and El Niño. Proactive measures such as enhancing <keyword id="21404752" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heatwave-early-warning-systems" source="keywords">heatwave early warning systems</keyword>, upgrading infrastructure, and implementing public health initiatives are vital for bolstering resilience in the face of climate-related challenges. The findings of this research have been published in Geophysical Research Letters and can be accessed <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2023GL106990" data-type="tilCustomLink">here</a>.

New study forecasts high chance of record-breaking heat and humidity in India in the coming months

What is the wet bulb temperature?

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Wet bulb conditions occur when <keyword id="6359239" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="heat">heat</keyword> and <keyword id="53981" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="humidity">humidity</keyword> are too high for sweat to evaporate.</li><li>Such conditions can be fatal for humans if the temperature and humidity both exceed 95.</li><li>Extreme heat and humidity are growing more common due to climate change. </li></ul>People across the US and Canada are trying to stay cool as an <a href="https://www.insider.com/record-breaking-temperatures-northeast-2020-7">historic heat wave</a> sweeps the northern hemisphere.Air-conditioning is in high demand, and even <a href="https://www.insider.com/heat-wave-pacific-northwest-canada-photos-melts-warps-items-2021-6">squirrels are vying for shade</a> in the <keyword id="1284618" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Pacific-Northwest">Pacific Northwest</keyword>. For hundreds of people who couldn't stay out of the heat, this month's temperatures have been <a href="https://www.insider.com/pnw-heat-wave-sends-more-than-1100-people-to-hospitals-2021-6">deadly</a>.The human body has some natural cooling mechanisms in place, but our tolerance for heat only goes so high. When the heat and humidity reach a certain point, there's nothing the body can do to cool itself down.The phenomenon is called wet bulb temperatures, and it's becoming dangerously common around the world. The combination of high heat and humidity can cause even the healthiest people to overheat and die.<h2>'Wet bulb' conditions occur when it's too hot and humid for sweat to evaporate</h2>Humans typically stay cool by sweating. As sweat droplets form on the skin, they evaporate in the heat and cool the skin, bringing down the body temperature.However, sweat can only evaporate if the air is dry enough to take up moisture. Once the relative humidity surpasses 95%, your sweat will simply collect on your skin and make you feel even hotter and stickier.If you prefer dry heat over a more tropical climate, now you know why humid days can feel so suffocating.When that humidity is combined with high heat (88 degrees Fahrenheit or higher), it's called wet bulb conditions. Such conditions can be fatal, and they're happening <a href="https://research.noaa.gov/article/ArtMID/587/ArticleID/2621/Dangerous-humid-heat-extremes-occurring-decades-before-expected">earlier than anticipated</a>.The coastal Middle East is experiencing the worst wet bulb heat in the world, but it's been happening in the US too. Southeastern states have reported multiple incidences of wet bulb temperatures at or above 88 degrees in recent years. Parts of Arizona and California have reported wet bulb temperatures as high as 95 degrees.<h2>Even healthy people can die of overheating on a humid day</h2>According to a 2020 study, wet bulb conditions are becoming increasingly common due to climate change.The study, which was published in <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/19/eaaw1838">Scientific Advances</a>, found that the human body cannot withstand wet bulb temperatures of 95 degrees Fahrenheit or above. That level of extreme heat and humidity wasn't expected until the mid 21st century, according to climate models. But the study found more than 7,000 instances of wet bulb conditions between 1979 and 2017."Even if they're in perfect <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health">health</keyword>, even if they're sitting in the shade, even if they're wearing clothes that make it easy in principle to sweat, even if they have an endless supply of water," co-author Radley Horton told <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/93ynm5/scientists-studying-temperature-at-which-humans-spontaneously-die-with-increasing-urgency">VICE News.</a> "If there's enough moisture in the air, it's thermodynamically impossible to prevent the body from overheating." Understanding wet bulb conditions is an important step to avoiding overheating. As more areas of the world see high temperatures and humidity, weather advisories for dangerous heat could help people know when to shelter indoors. However, those <a href="https://www.insider.com/seattle-portland-going-through-heat-wave-lowest-rate-ac-units-2021-6">without access to AC</a> will have a harder time cooling off and face a greater risk of heat death.

The US is experiencing 'wet bulb' heat, which can be deadly even to healthy people

Disney restored Walt's Mickey Mouse One Gulfstream private jet that was left to rot in Florida's heat and humidity &ndash; take a closer look at the vintage plane

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="3828720" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="President-Donald-Trump">President Donald Trump</keyword> suggested that scientists and other experts investigate whether there's a way to inject disinfectant, light, or heat into the human body to kill the <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword>.</li><li>"Suppose that we hit the body with a tremendous, whether it's ultraviolet or just very powerful light," Trump said from the White House podium. "Suppose you can bring the light inside the body, either through the skin or in some other way."</li><li>At the briefing, Dr. Deborah Birx, the federal government's coronavirus response coordinator, said she'd never heard of light or heat being used as a treatment for an illness like COVID-19. </li><li>Trump added that he isn't a doctor and that he's "just here to present ideas" after a reporter suggested he was spreading "rumors" from the podium.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul>President Donald Trump suggested during his Thursday night press briefing that scientists investigate whether there's a way to inject light, heat, or disinfectant into the human body to kill the coronavirus, despite lacking any evidence to support his theory."Suppose that we hit the body with a tremendous, whether it's ultraviolet or just very powerful light," Trump said from the White House podium. "Suppose you can bring the light inside the body, either through the skin or in some other way."The president said he asked William Bryan, a science and technology adviser at the Department of Homeland Security, to explore those possibilities and that Bryan said he would follow up. Bryan presented "emerging" results from recent federal government studies showing that <keyword id="32077" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="sunlight">sunlight</keyword>, heat, and <keyword id="53981" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="humidity">humidity</keyword> can help kill the coronavirus.Trump celebrated the data, which he claimed confirmed a "nice rumor" that the <keyword id="10860" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Virus">virus</keyword> might fade during the summer months. Earlier this month a report sent to the White House and covered by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/health/coronavirus-summer-weather.html">The New York Times</a>, suggested that there's not enough evidence to say that the disease will dissipate in summer."Is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside or almost a cleaning?" Trump asked his experts at the briefing. "It sounds interesting to me, so we'll see. But the whole concept of the light, the way it kills it in one minute. That's pretty powerful."He brought up his unsubstantiated idea again, noting, "Maybe, it works. Maybe, it doesn't.""I would like you to speak to the medical doctors to see if there's any way you can apply light and heat to cure. You know? If you could," Trump told Bryan and Dr. Deborah Birx, the federal government's coronavirus response coordinator. "And maybe you can, maybe you can't ... I'm not a doctor." The president then asked Birx whether she'd "ever heard" of heat and light being used as a cure for a virus. "Not as a treatment," she responded. "I think it's a great thing to look at," he concluded. When The Washington Post's Philip Rucker suggested that the president was spreading unproven theories from the White House podium, Trump called the reporter "a total faker.""I'm just here to present talent, I'm just here to present ideas," Trump said. "And if heat is good, if sunlight is good, that's a good thing as far as I'm concerned." Read the original article on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-wants-bring-light-inside-the-body-to-kill-coronavirus-2020-4">Business Insider</a>

Trump directs experts to see whether they can 'bring light inside the body' to kill the coronavirus, even as his own expert shuts him down

Toronto, May 8 () Temperature and latitude are not associated with the spread of COVID-19 disease, according to a global study that found school closures and other public health measures are having a positive effect on containing the novel coronavirus. The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, looked at 144 geopolitical areas -- states and provinces in Australia, the US, and Canada as well as various countries around the world -- and a total of over 3,75,600 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The researchers said China, Italy, Iran and South Korea were excluded because the virus was either waning in the case of China or in full disease outbreak at the time of the analysis in others. "Our study provides important new evidence, using global data from the COVID-19 epidemic, that these public health interventions have reduced epidemic growth," said Peter Juni from the University of Toronto, and St. Michael's Hospital in Canada. To estimate epidemic growth, the researchers compared the number of cases on March 27 with those on March 20. They determined the influence of latitude, temperature, humidity, school closures, restrictions of mass gatherings and social distancing measured during the exposure period of March 7 to 13. The study found little or no association between latitude or temperature with epidemic growth of COVID-19, and a weak association between humidity and reduced transmission. The results -- that hotter weather had no effect on the pandemic's progression -- surprised the researchers. "We had conducted a preliminary study that suggested both latitude and temperature could play a role. But when we repeated the study under much more rigorous conditions, we got the opposite result," said Juni. The researchers did find that public health measures, including school closures, social distancing and restrictions of large gatherings, have been effective. "Our results are of immediate relevance as many countries, and some Canadian provinces and territories, are considering easing or removing some of these public health interventions," said Juni. "Summer is not going to make this go away," said Professor Dionne Gesink, a coauthor and epidemiologist at Dalla Lana School of Public Health in Canada. "It's important people know that. On the other hand, the more public health interventions an area had in place, the bigger the impact on slowing the epidemic growth. "These public health interventions are really important because they're the only thing working right now to slow the epidemic," Gesink said. The researchers noted several study limitations, such as differences in testing practices, the inability to estimate actual rates of COVID-19 and compliance with social distancing. When deciding how to lift restrictions, governments and public health authorities should carefully weigh the impact of these measures against potential economic and mental health harms and benefits, they said. SARSAR

Hotter, humid weather may not halt spread of COVID-19: Study

If you think the terms <keyword id="3936292" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Weather-and-Climate">weather and climate</keyword> mean the same thing, perhaps you need to delve deep into these terms to understand them better in the right context. These two terms are closely related. However, weather and climate are not the same. Climate can be explained as what you might expect and weather is what happens actually. <keyword id="7621515" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="What-is-weather">What is weather</keyword>? Weather is the blend of events that happen day after day in the earth’s atmosphere called the troposphere. It is the lowest strata of the atmosphere touching the earth’s surface. Though there is only one atmosphere around the earth, the weather is not the same all around the globe. Weather is actually different in different parts of the world. It can be seen changing within minutes and hours. You can notice the weather changing within days and weeks. A number of factors can work on the weather to change it including the pressure of the air, temperature, wind speed, <keyword id="53981" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="humidity">humidity</keyword>, direction and many other things. Several factors determine how the weather is like at a given place at a particular time. <keyword id="7621516" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="what-is-climate">What is climate</keyword>? While weather can refer to the short term changes happening in the atmosphere, climate refers to the weather over a long time in a given area. The climate can differ over different regions. To tell about the climate of a place, we need to say how the temperature typically changes in the place during different seasons, the nature of wind, the amount of precipitation and the snowfall during different times of the year as per the general observation and popular belief. When the scientists talk about the climate of a particular place, they will usually take an average of the various climatic factors over a long time (in most cases over a 30 year period). The various factors that can be considered in this regard are rainfall, snowfall, humidity, sunshine, wind, temperature and other conditions. What the climate studies tell us? When we look at the climate normal, we can ascertain if the summers are hot or humid in the area. You can assume if the winters can be cold or snowy in the given place. You can also know when to expect the warmest and the coldest days of the year. To tell in a nutshell, the climate studies of a particular place tells you what to expect. However, climate studies will never be able to tell you how the weather will be on a given day in the area. What weather and climate tell us? While weather tells you what to wear on a given day, climate lets you decide what to store in your closet to make your life convenient in the given area. Weather and climate studies Weather is measured by different agencies in different parts of the globe all through the year. While some weather observations are recorded hourly, some are done once a day. Over a period of time, the weather readings are consolidated to get the long-time average conditions. This interpretation will let us understand the climate of a given place.

Difference between weather and climate

<ul><li>High temperature and humidity can reduce the spread of <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword>, says a new research. </li><li>It doesn't mean that the virus will die in warmer temperature rather it won’t spread as quickly as it does in winter. </li><li>It is still early to predict the behaviour of coronavirus in different seasons. </li></ul>Not many people were convinced when US President Donald Trump casually said that “heat, generally speaking, kills this kind of virus”. In fact, a lot of scientists and researchers have been saying that the novel coronavirus may not be affected by seasonal temperature variation. However, a new research<a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3551767"> by Beihang University and Tsinghua University</a> claims that high temperature and humidity can reduce the spread of coronavirus. 
	<div type="twitter" handle="lymanstoneky" handlename="Lyman Expand the House Stone, AKA 石來民" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/956611116947222528/7Xus8DGC_normal.jpg" favoritecount="3972" retweetcount="1305" status="Research shows that warmer weather DOES reduce the spread of COVID. This is excellent news! https://t.co/3Xesygp48K" createdat="1584363220000" id="1239535302873460736"></div>



 “Our finding is consistent with the evidence that high temperature and high humidity reduce the transmission of influenza, which can be explained by two possible reasons: First, the influenza virus is more stable in cold temperature, and respiratory droplets, as containers of viruses, remain airborne longer in dry air. Second, cold and dry weather can also weaken the hosts’ immunity and make them more susceptible to the virus,” noted the research. While this can be good news for India where temperatures are rising, it could be too early to throw caution to the wind. A theory <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-12/will-warm-weather-curb-coronavirus-what-experts-say-quicktake">says</a> that the virus could stay alive through summer and make a comeback in the winter. Moreover, weather alone can’t do the trick. Isolating and containing the virus is important to ensure that a country remains happy and healthy. READ MORE: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/coronvirus-in-india-map-and-data/articleshow/74666694.cms">Coronavirus in India — a visual guide to how the Covid-19 infection is spreading in the country</a> As per researchers, it is still early to predict the behaviour of coronavirus across seasons. Most of the worst hit areas across the globe have similar temperatures, and researchers yet to carry out an extensive analysis. If true though, this new theory can favour India — which witnesses one of the hottest summers in the world at an average above 30 degree Celsius. The country reported a shocking rise in numbers infected to 126 in the last few weeks. Moreso, three people have already died due to the virus. In times such as these, like the researchers, Indians too can “hope” on the side of optimism. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=coronavirus+&amp;sortorder=score">coronavirus: Latest News, Articles on coronavirus | Business Insider India</a>

A new research on coronavirus claims warm and humid weather can contain the spread — but that's not enough

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Droplets containing the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-live-updates-latest-news">coronavirus</a> can survive for a time <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-long-can-coronavirus-live-on-surfaces-how-to-disinfect-2020-3">on surfaces</a> before drying out.</li><li>A new study found that higher temperatures and lower humidity shorten the lifespans of <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> droplets on surfaces.</li><li>The research also showed that in cities where weather made the droplets' drying time longer, coronavirus infection rates rose faster.</li><li>This could in part explain why New York City was hit harder by the pandemic in March compared to, say, Singapore. </li></ul>A city's weather could be linked to how hard it got hit by the coronavirus.According to <a href="https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/5.0012009.">a study</a> published Tuesday, the amount of time coronavirus-laden droplets last on surfaces depends on the surrounding temperature and humidity, as well as type of surface they settle on.The <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-live-updates-latest-news">virus</a> typically spreads via <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html">droplets</a> when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks loudly. Because some of those microscopic droplets settle on surfaces, a team of researchers decided to measure how long it took the droplets to dry out, thereby killing the virus inside. The longer that process takes, the more likely it is that the droplets could infect someone new.The scientists found that higher temperatures and lower humidity dry out droplets faster — which could in part explain why the coronavirus took hold in some geographic areas more than others.The researchers compared droplets' average drying time in six cities with differing temperatures and humidity levels. Their results showed that "a longer drying time correlated with a larger growth rate of the pandemic," according to Raneesh Bhardwaj, one of the study co-authors."Certain outdoor weather is something that matters in the growth of infections," he told Business Insider.<div type="image" title="New York Coronavirus" height="1316" width="2000" msid="76287479" hostid="261"></div><h2>Low temperatures and high humidity help the virus survive</h2>For their investigation, the researchers looked at the most common size of droplet that people with <keyword id="8763838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="covid-19">COVID-19</keyword> spew out: about 5 nanoliters, or "the width of a human hair," Bhardwaj said.They did not look at the lifespan of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-coronavirus-travel-through-air-droplets-aerosols-2020-3">aerosols</a>, which are clouds of even tinier viral particles.Once droplets evaporate, the coronavirus that's left behind quickly dies. So the chances of transmission depend on the droplets' lifespan.The study authors compared drying time in two different temperatures: 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) and 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), both with 50% humidity. That 15-degree increase halved the time it took droplets to evaporate, they found.They also observed that an increase in relative humidity from 10% to 90% increased the evaporation time of a droplet almost seven-fold (with a steady temperature of 25 degrees Celsius).<div type="image" title="queens new york coronavirus" height="1000" width="1500" msid="76287483" hostid="261"></div><a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanmic/article/PIIS2666-5247(20)30003-3/fulltext">An April study</a> found a similar link between the virus' lifespan and the surrounding temperature. At 4 degrees Celsius (39 degrees Fahrenheit), the virus lasted up to two weeks in a test tube. When the temperature was turned up to 37 degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit), that lifespan dropped to one day.<h2>Longer drying times are linked to quicker outbreak growth </h2>To investigate whether outdoor weather conditions were connected to the severity of outbreaks in different cities, the researchers compared the growth of infections in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Sydney, and Singapore between March 1 and April 10. The results showed a correlation between the average drying time of a droplet in those cities (based on humidity and temperatures during that time period) and the growth rate of the local outbreak."If the drying time is less, the growth rate of infection in that city is expected to be less," Amit Agrawal, another co-author of the study, told Business Insider.New York City, for example, had a growth rate of new infections per day that was 35 times higher than Singapore's. On average, the drying time for coronavirus droplets in New York was close to a minute — nearly double the drying time in Singapore."While the humidity is comparable between the two cities, New York was cold compared to Singapore when the pandemic started," Bhardwaj said.Other factors could have influenced the differing severity of those cities' outbreaks, however. Singapore, a small island nation, was quicker than New York (and the rest of the US) to implement widespread coronavirus testing and contact tracing, as well as social distancing measures. <div type="image" title="singapore coronavirus" height="1333" width="2000" msid="76287487" hostid="261"></div>The researchers suggest that their research could provide clues about which countries and geographic areas might experience a more severe second wave this summer and fall."Infection rates in the Northern Hemisphere are decreasing with the warmer and drier summer, but the monsoon season is coming to southeast Asia, and bringing with it higher humidity and a higher growth rate," Bhardwaj said.<h2>The coronavirus' lifespan on surfaces</h2>A person can get the coronavirus if they touch a surface or object that has virus-laden droplets on it and then touch their mouth, nose, or eyes. The <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a> says it "does not spread easily" that way, however.The new study suggests that droplets take longer to dry on certain surfaces — like smartphones, cotton, and wood — than on surfaces like glass and steel.<div type="image" title="Workers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant as a precaution against the new coronavirus at a department store in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, March 2, 2020. South Korea has the world's second-highest cases. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)" height="3186" width="4944" msid="76287492" hostid="261"></div>That's because those latter surfaces are hydrophilic, meaning they're more easily wettable. When a droplet hits a hydrophilic surface, it spreads into a thin film, which then evaporates more quickly into the surrounding air.Wood, cotton cloth, and smartphone screens, by contrast, are hydrophobic — they stop liquid from spreading."If you put water on your phone screen, it becomes a blob. That blob will take longer to dry out than that water spread out over a larger area," Bhardwaj said.The researchers found that the evaporation time can increase by 60% for a hydrophobic surface compared to a hydrophilic one. That finding could indicate which surfaces should be cleaned most frequently, Agrawal said.

The coronavirus survives longer on surfaces when temperatures are low and humidity is high. That could explain why New York was hit so hard, while Singapore was not.

<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image on-image"></div></div>This spring, you'll want to have a great dehumidifier in your house.Things start to get extra damp and sticky as temperatures rise, so a dehumidifier will be especially useful in making your home more comfortable.If the comfort aspect hasn't convinced you, <a href="http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&amp;ContentID=498">excess humidity can lead to fungi </a>and weird insect infestations. So, take our word for it, a dehumidifier is good to have in your bedroom and laundry room.We've put together a list of four great (and discounted!) dehumidifiers - with tips on which kind you should get. Check them out.<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CEZA018/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00CEZA018&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biipdehumidifiers-20&amp;linkId=CMCW6W4MJBBLDTCN">Keystone energy star dehumidifier</a></h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image"></div></div>This is the largest dehumidifier of the bunch - made for rooms up to 4,500 square feet.If you need to de-moisturize larger rooms in your house (or even a large basement or garage) this is your go-to.It has a transparent water level indicator and a full bucket alert with automatic shutoff.Price: $229.99 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CEZA018/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00CEZA018&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biipdehumidifiers-20&amp;linkId=CMCW6W4MJBBLDTCN">$199.99</a> [13% off]<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GZ5BSBY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00GZ5BSBY&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biipdehumidifiers-20&amp;linkId=GPGTBXADYAGXMEVH">Ivation powerful thermo-electric dehumidifier (medium sized)</a></h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image"></div></div>This is a medium-sized dehumidifier, which makes it suitable for 2,200-cubic-foot spaces. That's great for bathrooms, bedrooms, and even if you're storing antique cars or boats.You'll only need to empty out the water tank every 3 days.Price: $129.99 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GZ5BSBY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00GZ5BSBY&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biipdehumidifiers-20&amp;linkId=GPGTBXADYAGXMEVH">$84.99</a> [35% off]<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MQ7T038/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00MQ7T038&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biipdehumidifiers-20&amp;linkId=ZY3OOXBNLRSVKW76">Ivation powerful thermo-electric dehumidifier (small sized)</a></h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image"></div></div>This is a smaller version of the above model, which means that it's better suited for people who live in apartments, or those who have small laundry rooms, RVs, or boats.Price: $79.99 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MQ7T038/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00MQ7T038&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biipdehumidifiers-20&amp;linkId=ZY3OOXBNLRSVKW76">$39.99</a> [50 off]<h3><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RZVHB7M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00RZVHB7M&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biipdehumidifiers-20&amp;linkId=RMBJMG2F4DCACWZT">Ivation mini dehumidifier</a></h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image"></div></div>And here's a mini dehumidifier.This one is best for small rooms, musty cupboards or closets, stored boats and antique cars, and attics.Price: $99.99 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RZVHB7M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00RZVHB7M&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biipdehumidifiers-20&amp;linkId=RMBJMG2F4DCACWZT">$59.99</a> [40% off] Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Business Insider's Insider Picks team. We aim to highlight products and services you might find interesting, and if you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale. This is not an advertiser sponsored post and we operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback.Have something you think we should know about? Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/iphone-headphones-tricks-2015-2">14 things you didn't know your iPhone headphones could do</a></h3> <div> <div> <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="o2OGM3czpWcydnvhjbkDBd6feXPuExiD" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div> </div> </div> </div></hr></hr></hr></hr></hr>

You Searched For "humidity" and got 11 results

Feeling like nights are getting too uncomfortable? New report confirms that nighttime temperatures aren’t dipping enough

Ankush Banerjee

New study forecasts high chance of record-breaking heat and humidity in India in the coming months

Ankush Banerjee

What is the wet bulb temperature?

Business Insider India

The US is experiencing 'wet bulb' heat, which can be deadly even to healthy people

Andrea Michelson

Disney restored Walt's Mickey Mouse One Gulfstream private jet that was left to rot in Florida's heat and humidity – take a closer look at the vintage plane

Brady MacDonald

Trump directs experts to see whether they can 'bring light inside the body' to kill the coronavirus, even as his own expert shuts him down

Eliza Relman

Hotter, humid weather may not halt spread of COVID-19: Study

PTI

Difference between weather and climate

BI India Bureau

A new research on coronavirus claims warm and humid weather can contain the spread — but that's not enough

Preeti Soni

The coronavirus survives longer on surfaces when temperatures are low and humidity is high. That could explain why New York was hit so hard, while Singapore was not.

Aylin Woodward

Survive the springtime humidity with these 4 dehumidifiers [up to 50% off]

Insider Picks

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides

You Searched For "humidity" and got 11 results

Feeling like nights are getting too uncomfortable? New report confirms that nighttime temperatures aren’t dipping enough

Ankush Banerjee

New study forecasts high chance of record-breaking heat and humidity in India in the coming months

Ankush Banerjee

What is the wet bulb temperature?

Business Insider India

The US is experiencing 'wet bulb' heat, which can be deadly even to healthy people

Andrea Michelson

Disney restored Walt's Mickey Mouse One Gulfstream private jet that was left to rot in Florida's heat and humidity &ndash; take a closer look at the vintage plane

Brady MacDonald

Trump directs experts to see whether they can 'bring light inside the body' to kill the coronavirus, even as his own expert shuts him down

Eliza Relman

Hotter, humid weather may not halt spread of COVID-19: Study

PTI

Difference between weather and climate

BI India Bureau

A new research on coronavirus claims warm and humid weather can contain the spread — but that's not enough

Preeti Soni

The coronavirus survives longer on surfaces when temperatures are low and humidity is high. That could explain why New York was hit so hard, while Singapore was not.

Aylin Woodward

Survive the springtime humidity with these 4 dehumidifiers [up to 50% off]

Insider Picks

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides

Disney restored Walt's Mickey Mouse One Gulfstream private jet that was left to rot in Florida's heat and humidity – take a closer look at the vintage plane