A
heat storm, as defined by the
California Energy Commission,
is what most would refer to as a
heat
wave. According to the commission website, heat storms occur
when the temperature reaches 100°F (38°C) for three or more
consecutive days over a wide area (tens of thousands of square
miles).
Normal hot
temperatures cause
electricity demand to increase during the peak
summertime hours of 4 to 7 p.m. when
air conditioners are straining to overcome
the heat. If a hot spell extends to three days or more, however,
nighttime temperatures do not cool down, and the
thermal mass in homes and buildings retains the
heat from previous days. This heat build-up causes air conditioners
to turn on earlier and to stay on later in the day. As a result,
available electricity supplies are challenged during a higher,
wider, peak electricity consumption period.
Global warming is supposed to
increase the frequency and severity of heat storms.
The term
"heat storm" is generally unknown outside of California
, and even within the state the term heat
wave is often used instead.
External links
- http://www.energy.ca.gov/glossary/glossary-h.html