The Most Dangerous Travel Destinations For Summer 2024

If you’re not a fan of the sun, these cities might find their way onto your ‘do-not-visit’ list

By Edvardas Garbenis

Popular travel destinations worldwide are experiencing increasingly dangerous heat conditions as global temperatures rise.

According to the latest global warming statistics, 2024 is on track to be the world’s warmest year on record.

Healthnews latest analysis ranks the top 10 cities where tourists and residents face the highest risks due to extreme summer temperatures.

The Most Dangerous Travel Destinations

#1 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Topping the list, Dubai faces intense heat, with 89.1% of summer days categorized as “danger” days. Temperatures often range from 103°F to 124°F (39.4°C to 51.1°C).

#2 Doha, Qatar
Ranking second, Doha experiences 57.6% of its summer days in the “danger” category, with temperatures between 103°F and 124°F (39.4°C to 51.1°C). Notably, Doha hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup during the winter season to avoid the extreme summer heat.

#3 Chennai, India
In third place, Chennai sees 58.7% of its summer days in the “extreme caution” category, with temperatures from 90°F to 102°F (32.2°C to 38.9°C).

#4 New Delhi, India
New Delhi ranks fourth, with 60.9% of its summer days marked as “extreme caution,” with temperatures between 90°F and 102°F (32.2°C to 38.9°C). The city has implemented a “Cool Roofs” initiative to help reduce urban temperatures by reflecting sunlight.

#5 New Orleans, Louisiana
In fifth place, New Orleans experiences 54.3% of its summer days under “extreme caution” conditions, with temperatures from 90°F to 102°F (32.2°C to 38.9°C). Built below sea level, the city’s high humidity significantly elevates the heat index during summer months.

#6 Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok ranks sixth, with 100% of its summer days falling into the “extreme caution” category, where temperatures range from 90°F to 102°F (32.2°C to 38.9°C). The city is affected by the urban heat island effect, leading to higher temperatures in the city center compared to surrounding areas.

#7 Phnom Penh, Cambodia
In seventh place, Phnom Penh has 97.8% of its summer days classified as “extreme caution,” with temperatures from 90°F to 102°F (32.2°C to 38.9°C). The city often experiences the “heat dome” phenomenon, trapping heat and leading to prolonged high temperatures.

#8 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Riyadh ranks eighth, with 93.5% of its summer days in the “extreme caution” category, where temperatures typically range from 90°F to 102°F (32.2°C to 38.9°C). The city uses a network of underground water reservoirs to provide cool water and mitigate the intense heat.

#9 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
In ninth place, Ho Chi Minh City sees 81.5% of its summer days under “extreme caution,” with temperatures ranging from 90°F to 102°F (32.2°C to 38.9°C). The city experiences significant temperature differences due to the urban heat island effect.

#10 Manila, Philippines

Manila ranks tenth, with 85.9% of the summer days categorized as “extreme caution,” with temperatures typically between 90°F and 102°F (32.2°C to 38.9°C). The city frequently experiences “heat bursts” during thunderstorms, leading to sudden spikes in temperature.

Methodology

To identify the hottest travel destinations, we extracted historical temperature and humidity levels for the summer of 2023 in over 40 cities and created a heat index.

The heat index represents what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature.

We categorized days into three levels of heat danger based on the heat index and assigned weights to each category to reflect its severity.

• Extreme caution days: 90–102°F (32.2–38.9°C). These days pose significant health risks, especially for vulnerable populations. We assigned a weight of 1 to these days.
• Danger days: 103–124°F (39.4–51.1°C). These days present a higher level of risk and can potentially cause heat-related illnesses more quickly. They were given a weight of 2.
• Extreme danger days: ≥125°F (≥51.6°C). These days are the most hazardous, with a high likelihood of causing severe heat-related illnesses or even fatalities. We assigned the highest weight of 3 to these days.

The formula used to calculate the score for each city is: Score = (3 x extreme danger days) + (2 x danger days) + (1 x extreme caution days).  This scoring system allowed us to rank the cities from most to least dangerous in terms of high heat during the summer.

(FULL REPORT)

 10 sizzling cities to avoid this summer

The analysis shows that the Middle East is the most hazardous region regarding extreme heat, with cities like Dubai, Doha, and Kuwait City experiencing the most dangerous conditions.

Last summer, temperatures exceeded 50°C (122°F) in the United Arab Emirates for the first time.

The Views Expressed In This Article Belong Solely To The Original Author, And We Assume No Responsibility For Its Accuracy, Completeness, Or Any Consequences Arising From Its Use.