As a meteorologist and an asthmatic mom, I know all too well how summer heat waves can feel especially tough — and I want you to understand why that is. It’s more than just “it’s hot outside.” When the heat is paired with humidity and stagnant air, it can make breathing difficult and asthma symptoms flare.

⸻

🌡️ Thick, Humid Air = Harder to Breathe

On steamy summer days, the air is loaded with moisture — so your lungs have to work harder just to draw in oxygen. For anyone with asthma, that can cause shortness of breath, tightness, and extra coughing.

⸻

💧 Evaporative Cooling Fails Us

Normally, sweat evaporates to cool our bodies. But if the air is already saturated with water vapor, your sweat stays put — leaving you feeling hotter and your body more stressed. That also means your respiratory system is already under extra strain.

⸻

🌫️ Stagnant Air Traps Pollutants

And it’s not just moisture. On those sticky, still days, pollutants like smog and allergens get trapped close to the ground. That’s a double whammy for asthmatics, making outdoor air feel extra harsh on your lungs.

⸻

🏜️ Why Humid Heat Feels Different from Dry Desert Heat

In dry desert heat, the air contains very little moisture — so sweat evaporates quickly and you cool off more efficiently. Even at high temperatures, your body can regulate its temperature more easily. But with humid heat, that moisture blocks evaporation and keeps heat and irritants right at the surface where you’re breathing. It’s why 35°C can feel so much worse on a muggy day in Toronto than the same temperature in a desert!

⸻

🧡 What Our Family Does

As a mom, I use the weather to plan smarter:

• Keep everyone indoors during the most humid parts of the day.

• Choose light, loose-fitting clothes made of cotton or linen — these breathe better.

• Encourage my kids to drink water and take breaks often.

• Pack cooling towels or a frozen sponge for school recess or camp — they’re simple, reusable heat hacks.

• And, come up with a plan with our doctor for dealing with asthma flare ups.

⸻

🩺 Get Expert Advice

If you or someone in your family has asthma, Asthma Canada has a fantastic list of strategies for summer. Check out their Beat the Heat: 9 Tips for Managing Your Asthma in the Summer for expert-approved ways to stay comfortable and safe.

⸻

✅ Final Thoughts

Heat and humidity don’t have to ruin summer — they just take a little extra planning. By understanding the role moisture plays in how we feel and breathe, and by keeping up with expert guidance, we can help our kids (and ourselves) navigate summer heat waves with a lot more ease.