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Extreme levels of heat and humidity are forecast to spread across the country over the next two weeks, blanketing the Southwest, Midwest, and East Coast with high temperatures beginning this June 19 and 20, and extending through the next several days. High heat alone is a risk to humans, but heat and humidity together make an especially dangerous combination. Humidity has to do with the concentration of water vapor in the air, that cloying stickiness that separates it from dry heat. When humidity is high, it affects how well our bodies can cool down via sweating. And when high humidity happens in conjunction with high temperatures and intense sun, it poses an even bigger threat. One measurement of that risk comes via the wet bulb temperature forecasts. This weekend, some regionsspecifically around Chicago and down to the Florida Panhandleare expected to reach high and even extreme wet-bulb temperatures of 85 degrees and higher, which increase the threat of heat stress. This forecast, issued on June 18, 2025, shows predicted “high” and “extreme” wet-bulb events across the U.S. for the afternoon of Saturday, June 21, 2025. [Screenshot: NWS] What is wet-bulb temperature? The wet-bulb globe temperature is one way meteorologists quantify heat. It includes not just the airs temperature, but also factors including humidity, wind, and sunlight. This makes the wet-bulb temperature a particularly important measurement for those who have to spend time outdoors often without shade, like many construction workers or farmworkers. Its also a useful measurement for those who partake in sports and outdoor recreational activities. The National Weather Service warns that as the wet-bulb globe temperature rises above 80 degrees, athletes should take increasing precautions, such as more rest and water breaks to help reduce the effects of the heat, and they may even want to remove their pads, gear, and other equipment. This graphic by the National Weather service explains the equipment used to measure wet-bulb globe temperature. [Image: NWS/NOAA] To get the wet-bulb measurement, the bulb of a thermometer is wrapped in a wet cloth. As the water evaporates, it cools the thermometer, mimicking the way the evaporation of our sweat cools our bodies. Meteorologists measure the rate of evaporation, and the temperature difference between the “wet bulb” and the dry bulb, or air temperature. The wet-bulb temperature is always lower than the dry-bulb temperature, except for when humidity levels reach 100%, and then the measurements are the same. Wet-bulb temperature vs. heat index, and their risks The heat index is another way to show the risk from extreme temperatures. But unlike the wet-bulb measurement, the heat index is measured in the shade. It takes into account the air temperature and relative humidity when someone’s not in direct sunlight, to give a sense of how warm it really feels like, at least when standing in a shady spot. Step into the sun, though, and its likely to feel even hotter. The wet-bulb temp is measured in direct sunlight and takes the angle of the sun into account, along with humidity, wind, cloud cover, and air temperature. Both are important for figuring out the risks to our bodies in high temperatures. And its important to look at both, because they can be different measurements depending on the conditions. When the heat index is at 80 to 90 degrees, thats a caution warning, per the National Weather Service, meaning fatigue is possible with prolonged exposure or physical activity. Between 90 and 103 degrees is an “extreme caution” classification, with a risk of heatstroke, heat cramps, or heat exhaustion possible. A heat index of 103 to 124 degrees is a danger level, increasing one’s risks from “possible” to likely. A heat index of 125 degrees or higher poses extreme danger. With a wet-bulb temperature of 85 to 88 degrees, experts warn that working or exercising in direct sunlight will stress your body in just 30 minutes. As that wet-bulb temp climbs to 88 to 89, that amount of time shrinks to just 20 minutes. If the wet-bulb temperature is above 90, then only 15 minutes of work or exercise in the sun will stress your bodyand you should take at least 45 minutes to rest each hour. Climate change is making extreme heat worse Wet-bulb temperatures dont always last all day, especially since they take into account the suns angle. Looking at the National Weather Services map of the country that shows the forecast for this weekend, those high and extreme wet-bulb temperatures show up for the 2 p.m. ET forecast on Saturday, June 21, and are mostly gone by 8 p.m. ET. Still, heat can be dangerous even at a lower wet-bulb temperature, and those high and extreme temperatures are concerning. As the earth warms, extreme heat is more likely overall2024, for example, was the hottest year on record, and humans experienced, in general, an extra 41 days of dangerous heat because of climate change. And in places like the tropics, and especially along the monsoon belt, humidity is also increasing along with heat. People there are seeing an increased rik of experiencing lethal wet-bulb temperatures in which their bodies cant cool themselves. The heat dome that will be building in the central and eastern parts of the country beginning this weekend could be historic, the Union of Concerned Scientists saysand climate change is making extreme heat events (and wet-bulb temperatures) like this worse. Currently, the nonprofit science advocacy organization notes, the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Coast are warmer than usual for this time of year, anomalies made 30 times more likely by climate change. That then leads to more moisture in the atmosphere, which leads to higher dew points and humidity levels over the eastern U.S. “The fingerprints of climate change are all over this event,” the group says.
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Are you ready for reinvention? Our rapidly evolving world is demanding more from us as leaders than ever. Market challenges and opportunities used to come from competitors, economic conditions, and the quality of our products and operations. This fast-moving world once required responsiveness, an eye for detail, and efficiency. But the age of AI is introducing a competitive threat at a faster clip than weve ever faced before. With a new technology arises a new leadership style: a reinvention mindset, one primed to navigate uncertainty. Two decades ago, psychologist Carol Dweck developed the idea of the growth mindset to describe people who believe their abilities can be developed through hard work, learning, and perseverance. She also proposed the idea of the fixed mindset for those of us who think our abilities are already set and cant change no matter how hard we try. Her concepts influenced management theory for decades. But times have changed. Twenty years ago, we were flipping our phones, sending faxes, and thinking of Google as a new verb. As a transformational specialist who has worked with thousands of people, I have observed a new type of leader thats better equipped to help their people adapt to the new reality of AI: a reinvention mindset. Adapting leadership in the age of AI A reinvention mindset builds on Dwecks ideas by extending beyond the pursuit of mastery. Reinvention requires identity shifts, mindset rewiring, and stepping into unknown territory with courage. Thats also where a failure mindset comes in. It describes a willingness to see setbacks not as signals to stop, but as vital data for course correctionskills critical to face uncertainty with confidence and enthusiasm. The mindsets we model as leaders shape the culture around us. If we want an adaptive, courageous, and future-ready workforce, it begins with us embracing reinvention ourselves. How to cultivate a reinvention mindset Because reinvention is based on our own unique views, beliefs, and experiences there is an art to how we approach reinvention. Here are six steps to develop a reinvention mindset. Accept that change is coming. As experienced leaders, we have managed change before, then observed the mixed responses from ourselves and our people as we face the fear of the unknown. People either fight, take flight, or freeze in the face of change. Our job is to prepare ourselves and our people to accept change, because denial is not an option that has a future. Have a reality check. Reinvention starts with a brutally honest look at whats working and whats not. That includes ourselves. Take a moment to review the good, bad, and ugly habits that may have contributed to where you (and your business) are now or going to be. Are they still serving you? What do you need to leave behind to move forward? Empower yourself (and others). In times of change, people often feel powerless. This is when leadership matters most. Your role is to reframe uncertainty as opportunity and equip your team with the tools, resources, and mindsets to navigate it. This means more than sending them to a training course. Its about consistent communication, creating safe spaces for experimentation, and modelling vulnerability when you dont have all the answers. Because not even the AI experts have all the answers. Take action. Do something (anything!). Reinvention is not just about thinking differently; it demands you start taking action. Analysis paralysis and procrastination are the enemy of action. Learn from the experts. Create some hypotheses and then test them so you can see which one gets the best results. Do some A/B testing, where you invest small amounts into two options until you identify a clear winner, then back it. Try, try again. In a reinvention environment, failure isnt the exceptionits a part of the process. Try, miss, adjust. repeat. Your leadership sets the tone for whether your team sees failure as fatal or just feedback. Create a culture where experimentation is rewarded and resilience is nurtured, and do it quickly. Enjoy the process. Reinvention is tough. But it doesnt have to be joyless. As leaders, we need to help our teams stay present, not obsessed with what was or paralyzed by what might be. Take time to reflect, celebrate progress, and laugh together. Youre not just managing tasks, youre leading humans. And humans need hope as much as they need strategy. A reinvention mindset isnt about having it all figured out. Its about being willing to rethink, reimagine, and rebuild again and again based on the information you have. When leaders embrace this mindset, they dont just adaptthey begin to inspire.
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The fashion brand Kith just released its latest collaboration with Wilson, and the capsule manages to bring the best of each brand to the table. From Kith, you get upscale, off-court tennis-inspired apparel and accessories, and from Wilson, performance and equipment. [Photo: Kith] It’s gear for actually playing tennis in, like a $160 tennis dress and $50 Kith x Wilson sweat towel, along with shirts, jackets, and cardigan sweaters you can still wear even if you’ve never picked up a racket. A $260 Wilson tennis racket comes in a handsome Kith carrying case with a joint logo that combines the Wilson W logo with a Kith-branded wreathe laurel. The slogan embroidered on $60 caps and printed on a $70 Kith for Wilson Court Tee is “Quiet Please.” [Photo: Kith] Tennis is booming in popularity thanks to factors like the pandemic, the rise of athleisure, and 2024’s Challengers starring Zendaya. Athletic apparel brands like Nike and Adidas have cashed in on the trend. Earlier this year Fila teamed up with Hailey Bieber for a collection that took inspiration from tennis. Kith has teamed up with Wilson before for collections in 2021 and 2023. This is a long-running partnership, not just a one-season tennis theme. Kith is clearly eager to prove that it’s serious about a sport that already has tons of competition from apparel brandsand they nailed the brief on this one. [Photo: Kith]
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