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Extreme heat kills more people in the U.S. than any other weather-related event, and scientists generally expect the number of deadly heat waves to increase as the climate warms. According to new research, exposure could increase four- to six-fold by mid-century, due to both a warming climate and a population that's growing especially fast in the hottest regions of the country.
Using a newly developed demographic model, the scientists also studied how the U.S. population is expected to grow and shift regionally during the same time period, assuming current migration trends within the country continue. The study highlights the importance of considering societal changes when trying to determine future climate impacts. The total number of people exposed to extreme heat is expected to increase the most in cities across the country's southern reaches, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Tampa and San Antonio.Image credit: ©UCAR
