How To Keep Your Cool While Traveling In Heatwave Territory

Currently, extreme heatwaves continue to roast the US, Europe, and even the UK. While traveling in such weather, it is essential to keep your cool and stay hydrated. In some places, the heat is dry, which is easier to manage, but in others, the humidity will take all your energy. Read on to find out the best ways to handle a heatwave while traveling.

Keep your cool while traveling in a heatwave

Some parts of the US, the UK and Europe continue to suffer under high temperatures. Meanwhile, another wave of record-breaking heatwaves is currently on the way to the northern hemisphere.

In the US, the National Weather Service (NWS) continually issues excessive heat alerts, with 50 million Americans advised to stay indoors. Three-digit temperatures are especially bad across the southwest and central areas of the US, with no sign of temperatures dropping.

Meanwhile, Western Europe is having similar problems as the region heads into its second heatwave in less than a month. The extreme heat is threatening glaciers in the Alps, along with increased drought conditions. Meanwhile, southwest France is fighting wildfires, as the country also breaks heat records. In fact, France experienced the hottest June on record since 1850.

As for Spain, that country is also experiencing extreme heatwaves, with wildfires burning along the Portuguese border. Meanwhile, the hottest Spanish provinces are Andalucia in the south, along with Extremadura and Galicia. In fact, temperatures have been rising to around 113 degrees F (45 degrees C). According to weather forecasters, the temperatures could ease a little soon. However, parts of France and the UK continue to suffer high temperatures.

Why is it so darn hot?

This year’s unprecedented heatwaves have been linked to climate change. In fact, the UK Met Office has confirmed a “historic, even unprecedented” season of high temperatures is likely to continue through summer. Moreover, European nations, including Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Poland are bracing for hotter temperatures in July.

As this continues, officials are urging travelers to take precautions to stay cool and hydrated. However, this can be a daunting task. For instance, the UK is not set up for blistering high temperatures and air conditioning is rarely the norm. Meanwhile, buildings, shops and hotels aren’t designed for extreme heat.

When packing for your vacation, ensure you include loose clothing made from natural fibers, such as cotton.

How can you keep your cool?

1. ALWAYS carry water

As most people know, drinking alcohol in a heatwave isn’t a good idea, and drinking water is the way to go. Always ensure you have a bottle of water with you, especially in Europe.  Some countries, like Germany, don’t offer free water with a meal and then charge you a fortune to buy a bottle in the restaurant.

Keeping hydrated is the name of the game in a heatwave, in order to avoid heat exhaustion, which is particularly scary when away from home. We just can’t stress the importance of water enough.

2. Bring a fan and a battery pack

One great way to keep your cool, especially on planes, is to carry a USB fan, to plug into the external battery pack. This is also handy while traveling on public transport, or even in hot hotel rooms. While using the fan, spray your face with water from a mini-spritz bottle to freshen up.

It might be an idea to pack a small desk fan from home, which can keep you cool if your hotel has no built-in air conditioning.

3. Explore early in the day

When visiting a destination that is going through a heatwave, make a plan to see the sites early in the day, before the heat strikes. Around midday, it is best to return to your hotel and have a siesta, before freshening up in the shower to head out in the late afternoon.

While out exploring, it is a good tip to carry a clean shirt, so once you are hot and sticky, you can change into fresh, dry clothing.

Enjoy your summer vacation, but please ensure you protect your health by keeping your cool!