In general, we drink adequately to maintain our body water balance, that is, fluid replacement to offset losses. However, a sudden change in the weather to intense heat requires new habits, and these can lag.
In preperation for this, Japan’s Ministry of the Environment now releases Heat Stress Index and Heat Stroke Alert maps. Examples are included in the supporting 6-page hydration paper here.
In 2022, Japan saw a record high number of June heatsroke cases: 15,657. The previous record was 6,980 in June 2011. An unusually short rainy season was followed by a sharp rise in temperatures. For Tokyo and its surrounding areas, the 2022 rainy season ran from June 6 to June 27, ending 22 days earlier than usual. (1)
Nature has also been caught by surprise. (2) Hydrangeas bloomed and then rapidly withered in the heat. Many cicadas remained dormant waiting for sufficient rain to fall. Mosquitos are active when temperatures are in the 25-30 degrees centigrade range, and higher temperatures have kept them taking refuge in shady leafy foliage. This author is happy about the latter!
References:
- Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
- Summer in Japan doesn’t feel like a Japanese summer this year, many are saying, Japan Today, July 13, 2022
