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Sherburne County Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2020 Medical costs related to extreme heat and cold can be enormous: in 2005 the total was $1.5 billion nationwide, or more than si6,000 per patient (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2009). Extreme Heat History in Sherburne County July is the hottest month on average in Sherburne County, with an average monthly maximum temperature of 82°F (based on data from i895-2oi8). The hottest month on record for the county was July 3.936, with a month -long average maximum temperature of 93°F (MN DNR, n.d.). The National Centers for Environmental Information's Storm Events Database records "Heat" and "Excessive Heat" events. A "Heat" event results from a combination of above normal high temperatures and relative humidity, while an "Excessive Heat" event is characterized by well above normal high temperatures and high humidity. These heat -related events are reported whenever heat index values meet or exceed locally/regionally established heat thresholds (2oi8). From January 3.996 through July of 2019 the Storm Events Database recorded eight heat -related events in Sherburne County, six "Heat" and two "Excessive Heat". No deaths or injuries were reported from these events. Only one event was reported since 2012. In July of 2oi6 there was severe heat throughout Sherburne County and the surrounding area. The highest measured heat index in the county was i3YF. To determine the probability of future heat -related events in Sherburne County, all past -observed "heat" and "excessive heat" events and the period in which they occurred were examined. Based on the records in the NCEI Storm Events Database, the relative frequency of heat -related events in the County is .3 events per year. This relative frequency can be used to inferthe probability of these events occurring in the future. Extreme Heat and Climate Change Minnesota's average temperature has increased more than 1.5°F since recordkeeping began in 3.895, with increased warming happening in recent decades (International Climate Adaptation Team, 20i3). Annual temperatures in the Midwest have generally been well above the 3.9o3.-3.96o average since the late 3.99os, with the decade of the 2000s being the warmest on record (Kunkel, et al., 2013). Seven of Minnesota's io warmest years occurred in the last 15 years. Projected increases are 2°F to 6°F more by 205o and 5°Fto io°F by 23.00 (MN Environmental Quality Board, 2014). The Midwest has experienced major heat waves and their frequency has increased over the last six decades (Perera, et al., 2012). For the U.S., mortality increases 4% during heat waves compared with non -heat wave days (Anderson & Bell, 2011). During July 2011, 3.32 million people across the U.S. were under a heat alert — and on July 20 the majority of the Midwest experienced temperatures in excess of ioo°F. Heat stress is projected to increase as a result of climbing summer temperatures and humidity (Schoof, 2012). On July 19, 2011, Moorhead Minnesota set a new state record for the hottest heat index ever, at 3.340F. That same day, Moorhead also recorded a new state record for the highest dew point at 88. It was the hottest, most humid spot on the planet that day (Douglas, 2011). Page172