Word: heating
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Islands of urban heat can do funny things with weather. Hot city air, like hot air anywhere else, rises--even more so because of the turbulence caused by tall buildings. When that air is damp enough and collides with colder layers above it, water can condense out as a sudden burst of rain, especially if there are few frontal systems to disrupt the layers, as in summer. In a spot storm above a city or just downwind of it, it's likely that nature alone isn't behind the downpour...
...waterlogged cities can be cooled off in the usual ways--by limiting auto exhaust, for example. Using light-colored roofing and paving materials in place of black, heat-absorbing tar will also help. As a bonus, the cooler roof will reduce the need for air conditioning. --By Jeffrey Kluger
Carbon dioxide traps like the Mosquito Magnet work by emitting a plume of carbon dioxide, heat, moisture and octenol. They do a great job of capturing mosquitoes, but there's a chance they could work too well and attract more mosquitoes than usual to your yard, some of which might bite you on their way to being trapped. --By Lisa McLaughlin
...OVERHEATING Don't apply rubbing alcohol to the skin to cool down. This closes the pores and makes it more difficult for the body to get rid of excess heat. Similarly, even cold drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine make it tougher for the body to cool off. Get to a cool place and stick with cold water and sports drinks. Heatstroke, in which the victim loses consciousness, requires immediate medical attention...
...spending a lot of time in the pool. Being drenched in a rainstorm, especially in late summer or at higher elevations, can also cause the body temperature to fall dangerously low. Get out of your wet things and into some blankets or--in extreme cases--share someone's body heat...