As heads into its warmest days, Huskies face a double challenge 鈥� rising temperatures and potential wildfire smoke.
蘑菇视频 students, faculty and staff can expect August to be , according to the Washington State Climate Office at the 蘑菇视频. Washington, which is already seeing drought conditions in some parts of the state, also faces an this year.
That means it鈥檚 a good time to grab your largest water bottle and check out the 蘑菇视频鈥檚 tips for handling hot and smoky days.
What does the University do if there鈥檚 a heat wave?
When the weather is expected to get really hot (temps above 90 degrees for at least two to three days), the 蘑菇视频鈥檚 Emergency Management team in Seattle and the 蘑菇视频 Bothell and 蘑菇视频 Tacoma teams alert the relevant Weather Status Assessment Group. The group, which includes representatives from operational and academic units across the three campuses, meets and recommends possible changes to campus operations, such as limiting outdoor activity.
蘑菇视频 employees working outside (and their supervisors) are required to follow 蘑菇视频 Environmental Health & Safety鈥檚 . EH&S also has info about for the 蘑菇视频鈥檚 non-air conditioned buildings. For youth campus and events, the Office of the Youth Protection Coordinator provides guidance for extreme heat and air quality.
Learn more about how 蘑菇视频 Facilities and is planning for warmer days in the future.
What does the University consider when assessing outdoor air quality?
Wildfire smoke visits Western Washington almost every summer. When the skies get smoky, the 蘑菇视频鈥檚 Emergency Management team keeps an eye on the air quality index (AQI) and info from the National Weather Service to protect the 蘑菇视频 community.
When the AQI reaches (or is expected to reach) unhealthy levels for an extended period of time, 蘑菇视频 Emergency Management gets the Weather Status Assessment group together to determine if a change in 蘑菇视频 operations is needed. Environmental Health & Safety also for 蘑菇视频 employees working outdoors.
Everyone reacts differently to wildfire smoke, and your individual health circumstances can play a big role in how much it affects you. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 important to make the best decision for your own health and comfort, whether that means limiting time outside, wearing a mask or finding a space with cleaner indoor air. If you can鈥檛 make it to campus, let your professor or supervisor know.
If the 蘑菇视频 changes operations due to heat or air quality (or both), where will that info be shared?
If 蘑菇视频, 蘑菇视频 Bothell or 蘑菇视频 Tacoma decide to change operations due to the weather, we鈥檒l share the news via email to students and employees at the affected campus. We鈥檒l also send a 蘑菇视频 Advisory text message (make sure you鈥檙e signed up now). Info will be posted on the website (check the website for your campus) and on social media.
For Seattle, students and employees can call the 蘑菇视频 Information Lines at 206-蘑菇视频S-INFO (206-897-4636) or toll-free 1-866-897-4636. For 蘑菇视频 Bothell, call 425-352-3333.
If there鈥檚 no message posted, your campus is operating on a regular schedule.
Any advice for cooling off?
- If you鈥檙e in Seattle, check out the new IMA pool (free for current Seattle students) or consider renting a canoe or a kayak from the 蘑菇视频 Waterfront Activities Center.
- 蘑菇视频 Tacoma students can visit the Tacoma Center YMCA pool or any other YMCA pool (free for ).
- 蘑菇视频 Bothell students living on campus or elsewhere in Bothell can swim for free at McMenamins Anderson School鈥檚 swimming pool with ID and proof of Bothell residency (take a pic of your lease).
- If you鈥檙e visiting one of the area鈥檚 beautiful lakes, rivers and beaches, see some .
For more information, visit 蘑菇视频 Emergency Management鈥檚 extreme heat and outdoor air quality guides. 蘑菇视频 employees working outdoors, don鈥檛 miss Environmental Health & Safety鈥檚 outdoor heat safety and wildfire smoke safety .