India, Feb. 25 -- Many regions in India suffer from moist heatwaves during the southwest monsoon (SWM) season but the phenomenon is not well understood. A new research paper published in the journal Climate Dynamics showed that timings and locations of the moist heatwaves are controlled by the active and break periods of the SWM and can be predicted weeks in advance for better adaptation by people, especially to the adverse health impacts of the events.

Moist heatwaves are triggered by a combined impact of high temperatures and elevated humidity levels in the atmosphere during the SWM and sometimes even before that. "When air is already humid, sweat cannot evaporate from skin, leaving the body unable to cool itself. This can lead to heat...