I’ve heard too much humidity is a bigger problem. Keeps your body from being able to cool itself down with sweat, making you likely to overheat. With desert heat you’re probably fine if you have water and shelter from the sun.
What really matters for hyperthermia is the “wet bulb” temperature. Basically, the temperature you get when you wrap a thermometer with a wet cloth, simulating the cooling you get from sweat.
120° F with 5% relative humidity is a wet bulb temperature of about 69°.
I’ve heard too much humidity is a bigger problem. Keeps your body from being able to cool itself down with sweat, making you likely to overheat. With desert heat you’re probably fine if you have water and shelter from the sun.
Mostly.
What really matters for hyperthermia is the “wet bulb” temperature. Basically, the temperature you get when you wrap a thermometer with a wet cloth, simulating the cooling you get from sweat.
120° F with 5% relative humidity is a wet bulb temperature of about 69°.