It's been brutal

L

lukus

Joined
May 30, 2007
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527
It has been a brutal summer so far. We had 5 or 6 days in June that didn't hit 100+ degrees. So far in July we've had 1. This past weekend the weatherguys said highs in the middle to high 90s and possible rain. People were ready to party in the streets at that news. Weatherguys were wrong. 101-103 and no rain. However, that possiblity of rain did give us 85% humidity with the 100+ temperatures.

We're also two years into a hell of a drought. We did get a little rain this evening. A pop up thunderstorm dumped a whopping 2/10ths of an inch. It's the first measurable rain I've had since almost 3 months ago when we got 1/4". Before that you have to go back to March 1st when we got 1" even. So, less than 1 1/2" in almost 6 months. Yikes!

We've got 2 more months of this to look forward to. Historically, around here anyway, August is the hottest month of the year with September being more like July with the occasional June.

I do have a bit of a point with my bitching. Part of it is just to vent a little because I'm really tired of this relentless heat. The other is just to remind everyone how important it is to take the heat seriously. I just saw one of my nieces who had a terrible sunburn on her shoulders. She's had very little sleep this week because of the pain. She spent the first two days on prescription pain killers just to function a bit.

Also, staying hydrated is almost impossible when it's this hot. On the weekends when I'm outside working I'll drink water till I'm uncomfortably full before I go out. I'll also drink regularly while I'm out. In the late evening I'll drink a large tea glass of orange juice before I go to bed and can make it through the night without having to get up to pee. My body's just trying to catch up with it.

I've grown up in this area, so I'm used to it as much as is possible. This afternoon I had to go to a jobsite to get some measurements. They had to call an ambulance earlier this morning because one of the framing crew (from Minnisota of all places) passed out. The guys said they had all been on him constantly about drinking enough water. He thought they were just giving him a hard time about being from Minnesota. Tonight he's in a hospital with an IV in his arm.

It's always hot and miserable in the summers, but there's the occasional break in the heat with some thunderstorms or cloud cover. Even a few days off lets you kind of recharge. These last 2 years have been abnormal, hotter and without any breaks. It's also not like I live in the Sahara, it's Central Texas for Pete's sake!

Anyway, if you're not used to an areas particular weather patterns, listen to the locals and practice caution. Whether it's heat, cold, or quickly changing temperatures - it can all get you if you're unprepared.
 
That's scary hott! Here in Pittsburgh the weather has been especially mild. In fact, I don't think we hit 90 yet. Even better, the humidity has been very low.

I hope the weather changes for the better, soon! :thumbup:
 
We haven't even hit 90's yet this month here in chicago. I think we had like 2 last month and that's been it. And it looks like we won't even have any 90's this month and maybe next too. I never minded the 90's since our hot weather window is so brief but I would probably die in the 100's.
 
It's been unseasonably cooler here in Toronto too. It's been mostly low to mid 20s (Celcius) here and we've been getting some rain. I don't know if it's really changing weather cycles due to global warming or what but it is a bit weird. That being said, I do hope you guys get a break real soon from all that heat and dryness you're experiencing.
 
I feel your pain, Kingsville TX here :grumpy:

It's been hotter than a monkey's ass in heat I tell ya :D

Just walking to and from class I feel like I need my camelbak to stay hydrated. The humidity makes it feel like I've taken a second shower everytime I step outside.

*commercial excerpt*
"I don't drink beer often, but when I do, I make it a dos equis.........stay thirsty my friends." :D
 
Besides drinking water to lower your temperature, swab some around your head: forehead, temples, back of the head and down the neck. Measurable relief, and especially good for little kids running around in the heat. With them, you can just pour water on their heads to cool them down. Soak a bandanna and tie it around your neck.
 
I second Esav's recommendation: keep a wet cloth or hat on the head/neck. It allows for evaporative cooling, helping heat drain out of the body.
Here in Albuquerque, we've only broken 100 a couple of times. Most of this summer has been mid-90s, which isn't too bad. I suck down a lot of water, carry an extra shirt, and eat all the watermelon I can get my hands on. In fact, watermelon with salt sprinkled onto it is G-d's Gatorade :D !
 
Ouch, thats wicked hot! I guess I'll quit bitching about unseasonably cool and wet it has been over here.

Thanks for the tips bro!
 
If it wasn't for AC Texas would have 50% fewer people.:D I am in the heat a lot and find water and a sports drink to work well. The body needs the electrolytes from the sports drink. A cool wrap around the neck is good and a good hat is absolutely necessary.
 
I also feel your pain as I am out in it everyday. I caretake a medium size ranch and the water is getting hard to find for the wildlife. We have two places the wildlife can drink on 600 acres. Both are fed by wells drilled by the owner. The spring fed creek is almost completely dry, and contaminated by wild hogs that have decided it is a good place for a wallow. We better get some rain soon or the wildlife is gonna start dying off.
 
:eek: 100's? I don't even like the upper 80's. Make sure to stay hydrated. I've heard of people getting so hot they forget to drink and they end of getting dehydrated. Although, I still don't understand how they can forget, seeing as they are that hot.
 
Right, middle of summer, central Texas, 100+ temperatures. No surprise there. My mother grew up in El Paso, she tells me stories about hell boiling over.

The only way to beat the heat is to stay out of it. Find shade, air conditioning, drink water.

Up here in the cool blue north, we've had an unusually cool and wet summer. Average temperatures 65-75. Normally, it would be 80-90. We get one or two days of sunshine followed by five days of clouds and rain. Very unusual.

Personally, I'll take mine over yours :D. Hang in there Lukus :thumbup:
 
I feel your pain man. That IS brutal. Here in central KY, on the other hand, we are having an unseasonably cool summer. :) Actually, after several past years of drought or near-drought, we have had quite a bit of rain on and off. Last week we actually had night time lows in the 50's (F) :eek::eek: It should be 98 F and humid to boot. I lived through some miserable summers in Memphis, lows of 90 F at night , 90% humidity, highs of 104 F, etc. No AC, "transition neighborhood." Actually, you do get used to it, but you do SLOW down a lot. walk slow, talk slow, work slow. When an afternoon thunder shower came through, the water vapor would rise from the pavement like a hot ground fog. :eek: Everybody had a sweat rag towel that they carried outside draped around thier neck like some Italian sports car race with his sweater draped. :p
 
Fox Creek said:
I feel your pain man. [ ... ] I lived through some miserable summers in Memphis, lows of 90 F at night , 90% humidity, highs of 104 F, etc. No AC, "transition neighborhood." Actually, you do get used to it, but you do SLOW down a lot. walk slow, talk slow, work slow. When an afternoon thunder shower came through, the water vapor would rise from the pavement like a hot ground fog. :eek: Everybody had a sweat rag towel that they carried outside draped around thier neck like some Italian sports car race with his sweater draped. :p
Click to expand...

I remember some summers in New York City like that. Temperature and humidity would not come down for months. And when you get heat like that in a totally urban area -- blacktop, concrete, and tall buildings -- it's got nowhere to go. Looking down narrow avenues with rush hour traffic, you see grey green fog over everything.
 
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