Episode Details

Ever seen your car's dashboard read 57°C and wonder why official records never hit 60? This episode unpacks the physics that cap Earth's surface temperature near 54°C, the suspicious 1913 Death Valley record that may be decertified, and why your car's thermometer lies by 15 degrees. Then we get into the physiology: why heatwaves kill mostly through heart attacks, not heatstroke, and why diabetics and older adults are uniquely vulnerable. A perfect blend of atmospheric science, public health, and myth-busting.