The Heat Wave Is More Than a Nuisance

High temperatures increase attendance at pools and hike up A/C sales, but 100-plus degree weather has other, deadlier consequences

The excessive heat promoted a bloom of toxic blue-green algae at Grand Lake in Oklahoma (AP Images)

With the country in the grip of a soaring heat wave, it is not surprising to read reports on people staying indoors, flocking to buy air-conditioners, or discovering the occupational hazards of being a lifeguard. But look beyond the typical stories about triple digit temperatures, and it becomes apparent that the heat wave is more than a mundane nuisance -- it's a serious meteorological event. Here are a few of its wide-reaching impacts.