Excessive heat in US prompts hypothermia warning (yes, you read that right)
When the temperature rises, hypothermia may be the last thing on your mind -- but it's still a possibility, officials say.
Temperatures are climbing past 40°C in parts of California, Nevada, and Arizona prompting authorities to issue a warning about ... hypothermia?
That's the case in an excessive heat warning that's currently in effect.
The extreme heat is causing a rapid melt of snow that had fallen on some northern Nevada ranges, including in northeast Humboldt County, the Jarbidge Wilderness, and the Ruby and East Humboldt Ranges, among others.
All of that snow is flowing into Central California rivers and streams, and the water is moving swiftly.
While there's currently no risk for flooding, officials are warning residents to avoid taking a dip in the icy water.
"Brief exposure to the cold water of a river or stream may lead to hypothermia," the National Weather Service says in a statement.
"Rivers and streams are dangerous places to seek cooling relief from the heat."
While it may sound strange, this type of scenario is possible in Canada, according to Weather Network meteorologist Jessie Uppal.
If the conditions are right, something similar could happen in "tourist-heavy areas in western Canada and even in parts of Quebec where we see runoff from winter snow at the alpine levels," Uppal says.
"These are areas where people will go swimming or boating anyway, so the risk is there."
California's extreme heat is expected to dissipate throughout the week, returning to more seasonal levels by the weekend.
Thumbnail image courtesy: Getty
