Badgers Abroad

Episode #12 - Preparing for Extreme Heat

• UW–Madison International Safety & Security

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Heatwaves and prolonged excess heat conditions are increasing in frequency, duration, intensity, and magnitude due to climate change. Extreme heat conditions can cause cumulative stress on the human body and disrupt the delivery of important resources like water and electricity. Excessive temperatures can significantly impact traveler health and safety, exacerbate existing health issues, and increase the risk of dehydration and heat-related illnesses. This podcast and the associated resources will help you think about how you can best cope with extreme heat conditions and plan for a safe and healthy trip.

References and resources from the podcast are listed below:

Episode 12: Preparing for Extreme Heat

(Cleaned & Edited Transcript)

Extreme heat is one of the most underestimated environmental threats facing travelers and organizations today. While it is often viewed as a seasonal inconvenience, prolonged heat waves increasingly pose serious health, security, and operational risks, especially for people working or traveling in unfamiliar environments.

In recent years, record-breaking temperatures have become more common across regions, including the Middle East, South Asia, Southern Europe, and parts of Africa and the Americas. These conditions are not just uncomfortable; they can overwhelm infrastructure, strain medical systems, and exacerbate existing political or social tensions.

From a personal safety perspective, extreme heat significantly increases the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. These risks are magnified for travelers who may not be acclimatized, who are engaging in physical activity, or who lack access to reliable air conditioning or potable water. Certain populations—such as older adults, individuals with chronic medical conditions, and those taking specific medications—are particularly vulnerable.

Operationally, heat can disrupt transportation networks, cause power outages, and reduce the effectiveness of emergency response services. In some regions, extreme heat has forced airports to delay flights, limited the ability of security forces to operate outdoors, and triggered rolling blackouts that affect hotels, hospitals, and communications.

Extreme heat can also act as a threat multiplier. In already fragile environments, it can worsen food insecurity, increase competition for water resources, and contribute to civil unrest. For organizations with personnel on the ground, this creates a more complex and volatile operating environment that requires close monitoring and proactive planning.

Preparation is critical. Travelers should be educated on the signs of heat-related illness and trained to take preventive measures such as maintaining hydration, limiting outdoor activity during peak heat hours, and wearing appropriate clothing. Organizations should ensure that travelers have access to emergency contacts, medical support, and clear guidance on when to alter or suspend activities due to heat conditions.

At an institutional level, monitoring environmental conditions in real time is essential. This includes tracking heat advisories, understanding local infrastructure resilience, and assessing how extreme temperatures may affect security conditions more broadly. Intelligence and risk analysis play a key role in helping decision-makers anticipate problems rather than react to them.

Ultimately, extreme heat is no longer a niche concern; it is a core travel risk that must be integrated into broader security and duty of care planning. Organizations that recognize this reality and prepare accordingly are far better positioned to protect their people and maintain operational continuity in an increasingly unpredictable climate.