Apps to Beat the Heat

By Rachel Ofo

For many of us who were raised in the northern hemisphere, April means springtime flowers, maybe some rain here and there, and slightly warmer weather than in the preceding months. However, in countries with similar climates to Thailand, April is more than “slightly warmer”. April is HOT. Specifically in Thailand, April temperatures can reach up to 40°C. Along with the heat, Thailand also has high levels of humidity, which adds to the struggles of staying cool (1). 

Although April is also the month of Songkran, when there are a few days to celebrate Thai New Year and find relief from the heat by cooling off with water splashing and water guns, for some, the rest of the month isn’t as bearable. Extreme heat, when not managed properly, can bring a world of issues including heatstroke, heat exhaustion, and sunburns. It can even exacerbate chronic issues (2).

In general, our bodies have the ability to regulate our temperature. However, issues arise when temperatures are extreme for extended periods of time. Sometimes our bodies need extra help in keeping ourselves and our children safe. So what are some ways to do that? Well, your helping hand is in your hand! Yes, we can simply fan ourselves to try to keep cool, but actually our phones can be our best tool. 

There are many apps that can be used to keep our families safe, especially when traveling in the heat. We’ll take a look at some weather apps, a couple of “water” apps, and even some out-of-the box apps that you never thought you needed for the Thai summer but could definitely come in handy.

Watch the weather

The easiest way to avoid being swallowed up by a wave of heat is by simply avoiding it. With these weather apps, you can keep a close eye on temperatures throughout the day. And if you’re anything like me and actually enjoy the heat, it’s less about keeping cool and more about avoiding UV rays. UV rays are rays emitted from the sun that can cause skin and eye damage, so making sure to avoid the sun when UV exposure is at its highest is your best bet. Here are a couple of cool apps and their features to help beat the heat.

• Flowx: Flowx is a free app available in both Google Play and App Store. They pride themselves on not being “your typical weather app”. Interesting features you’ll find on this app, along with standard weather data like temperature and UV index, include the ability to track hurricane paths, sun and moon phases, and even sea currents. Reviews praise the app for its usability, animations, and mobile-device compatibility.
   
• Weather Underground: Known for its crowdsourced weather data, Weather Underground offers hyperlocal forecasts based on data from nearby personal weather stations. This app provides valuable insights into temperature fluctuations and precipitation patterns, helping users navigate unpredictable weather conditions in hot regions.

And once you’ve made those plans to step out, there is still a level of precaution needed. Even though the UV rays may not be at their peak, it’s still extremely important to protect against the heat.
 

Stay cool inward

I remember watching a video where a dad stressed the importance of not sharing water bottles with his wife and children. At the beginning, many viewers were concerned because “sharing is caring”, right? Wrong. In this instance, it was more caring and safer to not share when out on a hot day—the reason being so everyone’s water consumption could be tracked. My daughter drinks a lot of water throughout the day, but my husband does not. So if we were out and about with one bottle, thinking everyone is properly hydrated, we would be mistaken. Of course, lugging around multiple bottles along with everything else that accompanies stepping out with your child isn’t always ideal, but the benefits are so important.

Some apps to help you monitor water intake are:

• Hydro Coach: To prevent dehydration and heat-related illnesses, hydration is key. Hydro Coach helps you monitor your water intake by calculating your daily hydration needs based on factors like age, weight, and activity level. With reminders and progress tracking, it ensures you sip your way to optimal hydration levels throughout the day. Added bonuses of Hydro Coach are that you can sync it up with apps like Fitbit, Samsung Health, and even Google Fit!
   
• WaterMinder: Staying hydrated is crucial in hot climates, and WaterMinder helps users track their daily water intake with customizable reminders. This app is so fun and easy to use. You can set hydration goals based on the weather and even include different types of drinks. More customizable settings include the character you can choose that fills up as you reach your daily intake goals. Although the app is free, extra features like fun characters must be paid for either through a monthly subscription or one-time charge. This app ensures users stay adequately hydrated even in sweltering conditions.

If you are just completely against downloading new apps for something as mundane as drinking water, or if your phone storage can’t handle any more downloads due to the overwhelming number of cute baby photos, have no fear. There are a few apps already installed on your phone, like the alarm clock, which you can use to remind you to drink more water or reapply that sunscreen.
 

Places to go

• DailyPass: Although not technically an “app”, their website, dailypass.com, is a great way to find hotels and resorts around Bangkok in which to escape the heat. The site allows you to search a location and date to find nearby hotels with “day passes”. Although they allow an array of options like buffets and gyms, the star of the site is the ability to find pool access. So if you’re out and about and need a quick dip, or if your condo pool is unavailable, this is the app for you. It’s as easy as filling out a few boxes, remembering your swimsuit, and you’re on your way!
   
• Google Maps: An invaluable app I’m sure many of us Android users already have is Google Maps (or the iPhone equivalent, Maps). There are so many more features than just searching “waterparks near me”. Before heading to the waterpark, Google allows you to view when the busiest times at your destination are so you can avoid the worst heat and the worst crowds. Within the app, you can also check for accessibility of locations, so you can plan accordingly to bring the stroller, or leave it behind. On your way, to make the most of your journey, you can include multiple stops like an ice cream shop, without going out of your way.

Overall, protection is prevention. Keeping yourself and your little ones safe is key. Although some may reject the idea of more apps or more stuff, we’re arriving at a point in society where technology can be used responsibly to help us, and we have the choice to take advantage of it. Of course, we can just do what we’ve been doing for years, but it’s also fun to test out what’s on the market now and see if we can improve our old routines. The amazing thing about trying something new is you can toss it if it doesn’t work. Stay cool!

Photos from Canva.

References

1. Mayo Clinic (2023) Heat exhaustion. mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-exhaustion/symptoms-causes/syc-20373250# 
2. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (2022) Temperature-related Death and Illness. niehs.nih.gov/research/programs/climatechange/health_impacts/heat 

About the Author

Rachel Ofo moved from the US to Bangkok in 2016 and spent six and a half years there. She has a daughter, whom she loves dragging around on various adventures like hikes and fishing trips. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and trying new restaurants. She also enjoys being out in nature.