California becomes first US state to begin ranking extreme heat wave events

California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed into law a heat wave ranking system bill aimed at preparing the state for dangerous extreme heat events.

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The bill outlines several factors to be considered in its creation, including:

• weather data, like maximum and minimum temperatures, and extreme heat event duration
• information and data on heat’s health-related impacts 
• measures of extreme heat severity
• locally relevant information like urban heat island effects or cooling measures
• public input

The bill states the heat ranking system will feature:

• Recommendations on thresholds or triggers for public policies that lower extreme heat’s impacts to human health
• Metrics recommendations to measure short- and long-term extreme heat-related health effects

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California's lower-income communities get disproportionately hit with extreme heat's affects, said assembly member and bill coauthor Luz Rivas (D-Arleta) in a statement. She added the system will ensure Californians get properly notified of the severity of upcoming heat-related weather events.