Coronavirus Studies: New Study Finds Warmer Weather May Slow COVID-19 Spread & Cooler Weather May Accelerate It by 30Seconds Health

Family Health
4 years ago

Coronavirus Studies: New Study Finds Warmer Weather May Slow COVID-19 Spread & Cooler Weather May Accelerate It

Since the first outbreak of the new coronavirus, many in the Northern Hemisphere have been looking ahead to the warmth of summer and the end of the flu season with hope that the number of COVID-19 cases will wane, too. However, with spring underway in the Northern Hemisphere, a recent study shows summer's approaching warmth might not thaw out the virus' grasp on certain corners of the world.

When will the coronavirus stop?

Qasim Bukhari, a computational neuroscientist, and Yusuf Jameel, an environmental scientist, both from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), set out to explore that question and discover if weather could slow or stop its spread. They found in their study titled Will the Coronavirus Pandemic Diminish By Summer? that, in short, for most of the world, the new coronavirus won't diminish come summertime.

"Based on the current data on the spread of 2019-nCoV [or SARS-CoV-2, which causes the illness COVID-19], we hypothesize that the lower number of cases in tropical countries might be due to warm humid conditions, under which the spread of the virus might be slower as has been observed for other viruses," Bukhari and Jameel wrote in the research paper.

But, they cautioned, "The underlying reasoning behind this relationship is still not clear." When contacted by AccuWeather this week, the researchers elaborated on their work.

"Our key findings are that so far at absolute humidity levels above 10 g/m3, the spread of the cases appears to be slower than at places with absolute humidity levels less than 10 g/m3," Jameel told AccuWeather in an email. According to the National Weather Service, absolute humidity is "expressed as grams of water vapor per cubic meter volume of air" and "is a measure of the actual amount of water vapor (moisture) in the air, regardless of the air's temperature," which is what the above measurement refers to.

Relative humidity is a measure of how close the air is to saturation at a specific temperature. Using absolute humidity allows the temperature to be taken out of the calculations. 

Read more about this study at AccuWeather.com.

The information on 30Seconds.com is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The information provided through this site should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, and is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your personal healthcare provider.

Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community. Inspire and be inspired.

Related Products on Amazon We Think You May Like:

30Second Mobile, Inc. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

How to Disinfect Groceries & Shop for Food More Safely During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: 10 Steps to Take From a Doctor

Coronavirus Self-Treating Cautions: 4 Things NOT to Do During the COVID-19 Pandemic

12 Lessons Learned (So Far) From the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Global Pandemic

Is the Coronavirus Scaring Your Kids? 8 Ways to Be Your Child's Leader During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Elisa Schmitz
So interesting and I hope we keep learning about this virus so we can figure out how to defeat it.

join discussion

Please login to comment.

recommended tips

Gluten-free Diets: 3 Things You Need to Know Before Going Gluten-Free

Food Allergies & Coronavirus: A Registered Dietitian's Guide to Food Insecurity During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Skip the Potato Chips: How to Prep So You Grab Healthier Snacks!

The Health Benefits of Cinnamon: Why You Need to Sprinkle This Spice on Everything