Heading to higher ground to catch a cool breeze and sitting in the shade while sipping lemonade are old-fashioned ways to handle a hot and humid day, but they’re not very effective.
Humidity isn’t just annoying, it’s also dangerous, especially if you live in a consistently humid city like so many in the South, including Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama. This “red zone” is where many of the most humid cities in the U.S. are located. It’s also seeing longer periods of extreme heat each year.
Hot, humid air can cause asthma symptoms, according to the Asthma & Allergy Friendly certification program jointly run by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation (AAFA) of America and Allergy Standards Limited, because it helps common allergens such as dust mites thrive. Air pollution, ozone and pollen levels go up in hot and humid weather. Those increased particles in the air can aggravate sensitive airways. In addition, humidity encourages mold growth, which can cause illness.