Oh God - I hope we aren't headed for a hellish summer

[Aerows]

A hellish summer on the Gulf Coast means that we have a bunch of hurricanes, it is humid and you don't even have to live in the direct line of rage of the Gulf, you get the joys of humidity so high you can taste it, feel it, it smothers your nose and wearing nice clothes and driving a car becomes an exercise in trying to keep from drowning in the oppressive heat and humidity.

If you have ever walked across the hot pavement from your air conditioned building to meet a collegue for lunch, opened the car door, nearly got knocked down, you know what I refer to. You feigned illness as you headed back across the parking lot because there was no way you were getting in the car.

My fondest hope is that some of you up North can send us some of that snow down here, because I believe we are in for a boiling cauldron down here, and that never turns out well. Please don't be smug - we weren't either - we knew what happened was as bad for you as when we got decimated by Katrina. When it happens to us, though, it's just a different death. At least you can put more things on to keep from freezing to death - we just sit here and pray we don't boil.

And that is Aerow's editorial on "Good Lord I hope the summer isn't as bad as the start of spring." Oh, and can we have just one more tiny little cold front, please?

[NutmegYankee]

1. That weather is why I moved to New England.

People think I'm nuts even all these years later to have left the south, but I can hack the cold. I never did well in the humid heat.

[Aerows]

2. I have to get out of it.

I'd rather shovel snow than nearly die for 9 months due to heat+humidity.

[MannyGoldstein]

3. I highly recommend Massachusetts

Good economy, great people, loads of Liberals... Elizabeth Warren country!

[Aerows]

4. Anything has to be better than

suffocating for 9 months out of the year because you breathe soup in the form of air.

[laundry_queen]

7. And that is why

I'm so thankful I live in Canada. And in the prairies. I SO cannot STAND humidity. I went further east with my family during a humid summer, and I thought I was going to suffocate. I could not get a breath...I have asthma and the humidity was worse than the cold for constricting my breathing. ICK!

I feel for you. I'd take a blizzard any day over a hurricane. Or over a 100 degree day with 90% humidity.

Still, I cannot escape the people at my office who think 80 degrees is room temperature in the winter. Not easy to dress for 2 seasons at once. At least, though, I can step outside for a bit.

Maybe one day I can have you over for a visit when we are going through a -40 degree spell.

[inanna]

8. I enjoy the four distinct seasons

common throughout most of Canada. Particularly the autumn.

I was in Edmonton for eight years after growing up in Ontario. You are correct - there is a huge difference in the humidity levels the further east you go.

[Aerows]

18. I'd love to

I've been outside at 7am when I traveled waiting for a building to open and it was 5F. I believe that is around -8C. It's ... fucking brisk. Can't say I wasn't damn glad to get inside. It isn't the same though when you are about to die of heatstroke and you get some peace.

You would be surprised how many southerners appreciate shoveling snow instead of wondering if we are going to pass out due to the humidity index.

[fizzgig]

5. we had our first fire weather warning today

old farmer's almanac is calling for warmer than normal temps in june and july and i'm hoping we're not in for another hell summer.

northern colorado doesn't have to deal with humidity or hurricanes, but wild fires are pretty fucking scary.

[Aerows]

6. I hope not for you

or for me!

[Warpy]

9. I live in the high desert, where we tend to broil, not boil

Last year, I managed to get by with fans. I know that isn't possible in humid areas, I tried it in Florida and failed miserably.

I have no idea how people on the Gulf coast did it before AC came in. I can remember NC, which isn't nearly as steamy, and it was far too humid for me.

Now I'm completely stuck. I dream about leaving but I know I won't. I'm just too spoiled by the climate, even though June can be utterly miserable.

[Jon82]

36. One of the biggest things I miss about the high desert

...is the dry climate. I own an evaporated cooler to help when the outside temp is in the high 90s to 100s but it is no where close to as useful where I live now (Arkansas) to if we were back in the high desert. Pretty much, you have to keep the air running in order to keep the air dry enough for it to do its job. Humidity is horrible here and makes it hard to enjoy any outdoor activities.

[Art_from_Ark]

38. I used to think the humidity was high in Arkansas

when I lived there, but after living in Japan for many years, when I go back for a visit to Arkansas, the summers seem more comfortable there.

[Jon82]

41. A trip to Japan then

I love traveling and it is on my list of destinations. It looks like it might have a hidden plus.

[Art_from_Ark]

47. The humidity in the Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka areas is high in July/August

Higher than Arkansas, unless you live in Arkansas' rice country. The northernmost island of Hokkaido is quite a nice place to visit in the summer, though.

[inanna]

10. I cannot imagine such humidity as you are describing.

I have always wanted to visit New Orleans. Maybe I should reconsider?! Due to the heat/humidity?

[Elwood P Dowd]

12. Visit New Orleans from October to April.

I've lived in the deep south for 65 of my 67 years and much prefer the weather down here to the freezing cold in the north. Heat and humidity doesn't bother me, but cold weather and short days with little sun does.

[inanna]

15. Awesome!

Will keep that in mind.

Thank you.

[Elwood P Dowd]

17. I've been there a few times, but it was always fall or winter.

Heat and humidity was never an issue. The highs were usually from mid-40s to mid-60s, and humidity was only an issue once when there was lots of fog for a couple of days. Its located in what is basically a swamp, so that's to be expected at times.

[Aerows]

22. My suggestion is

mixed.

It's gorgeous in late March because the azaleas start to bloom because it is a riot of color and the skies are clear, but it might get a little warm. My point is, though, this isn't even late March or late April, point of fact, and it is already this hot and humid. Don't let it prevent you from visiting.

Those are my suggestions. You miss the characteristic monsoon rains in mid-late April, and get the flowers of late March. It is truly a gorgeous thing to see .

[Jamastiene]

11. I wholeheartedly agree.

I got overheated and sick today, already. I still refuse to call anything that happens in North Carolina "winter" or "spring." We have an extended fall and then Sprummer. I hate the way I feel even hours after I get overheated. I still have a headache from how bad it was.

[Aerows]

19. We need to move next door

to brave .

[2naSalit]

23. How to deal with heat stroke or heat exhaustion...

Most PSAs will tell you to stay hydrated but they don't tell you that after a point water isn't the answer.

I lived in the desert for years and learned a few things after suffering heat exhaustion a few times (it was at least +100F with no breeze).

Think melons... cucumbers, cantaloup, honeydew, casaba, watermelon. Eat them on hot days... before you get heat exhaustion or heat stroke but absolutely if you start to get heat exhaustion. They not only help to keep you hydrated, they actually have a natural property called "refrigerant" which means they actually help to reduce your body temperature and this is aside from the electrolytes they contain. I found that when I was getting heat exhaustion, if I got into a darker place, like a room with shades pulled, and ate about a third of a cantaloup and rested for a while, I would be fine in an hour or 90 minutes. Then resume drinking water. Stay away from soda and alcohol, they make things worse for and can exacerbate the issue.

Immersing yourself in cool water can help too, as most mammals know.

Melons also work well if you have a fever, no matter what causes the fever.

My mom swore by salt tablets for the desert heat but I never found them useful myself. But melons were a lifesaver for me.

Humidity is horrible but melons can help you cool down enough to tolerate the heat part.

[Man from Pickens]

13. upstate SC baby

No oppressive humidity due to the mountains, no strong hurricanes since we're too far inland, no water shortages like out west, no cold long winters like points north... if you like generally mild weather (or just hate winter with a passion like I do) this is the place to be!

[Bluenorthwest]

54. It's lovely. Not all that great leagally speaking for LGBT Americans as we can be fired or refused

employment there and actually are at times. It's not for everyone, according to the laws of the State.

[Binkie The Clown]

14. A few years from now what were the worst summers will be the new normal.

And the new worst summers will not be survivable.

Welcome to global climate change.

The Arctic's climate change is messing with our weather

... continued global warming will increase the risk of heat waves. We all know that the warming temperature will make heat waves more likely. But added to this, “stickiness” of weather patterns will play a big role as well.

Whether it is the heat wave in Europe of 2003, the Russian heat wave of 2010, the heat waves in the USA in 2011 or 2012, or last year’s (and still continuing heat in California), these events have economic and human consequences. It is crucial to understand how our current climate works if we have any hope in predicting what will happen in the future.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

31. oh.......god.

[C Moon]

32. California had a brutal one in 2006: the North American Heat Wave, I think it was called.

It was ugly: late July 2006. It lasted over a week. One Saturday, we drove to the beach from Pasadena, and it was still upper 80's and humid at 9pm. When we got home to Pasadena, the west side of the city was dark. No power. Grateful we lived on the east side.
Yuck. More of that to come, I'm sure.

[AndyTiedye]

16. I Couldn't Handle that kind of Heat and Humidity

unless I'm right next a beach with nice swimming (in which case I spend as much time as possible in the water).

[JDPriestly]

20. It's summer hot in California too, and dry, dry, dry.

[mimi85]

27. Nasa says we have one year of water left. Scary.

[vicman]

37. What do you think is going to happen?

I have dear friends in California but they never give one moments thought to any of this. They turn the tap and clean water always comes out. All weather modeling shows no relief in sight. Will the military take over? This has got me worried.

[catchnrelease]

33. Unbelieveable yesterday

It was 97* mid afternoon in Long Beach! And the sensor is in the shade. In mid March. I really fear what the late Summer is going to be like.

[beveeheart]

35. Over 80 in Denver today

Today. and. yesterday broke records.

[closeupready]

21. Heat and sun I enjoy - humidity kills me.

No WAY I would live on the Gulf Coast or Florida.

[world wide wally]

24. Don't anybody worry!

Ted Cruz was just on Seth Meyer's show and said there is no such thing as global warming or climate change
Relax!

[Aerows]

30. I'm pretty sure Ted Cruz

has to have someone to remind him to change his underwear and socks. Heaven knows that after that tantrum there is little time for his hair (which we have all the evidence we need of that fact).

[Blue_In_AK]

25. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

I have no idea what to expect for our summer after such a warm and snowless winter, but I'm sure it won't be unbearably hot. That's why I love it here.

Something to keep in mind - I've read that Anchorage where I live will be one of the best places to live after 2050 when so many other places may be uninhabitable.

[C Moon]

29. A beautiful state. I visited 3 years ago. Loved it!

[pansypoo53219]

26. no shit. milwaukee had a tail end of the hurricane w/ a heat wave. high 90's and my god.

the humidity. one of the few times i wish we had AC. because i could, i stayed up til 6am w/ all the windows wide, hoping to get under 98. AT 6 AM! SO, i am not complaining about not having many days in the 80s. but shit. 50's in july?

[C Moon]

28. You have my sincerest of sympathies, and hopes for a drier season!

[hopemountain]

34. it is march and there are crickets in the house!

this is the 2nd one in a week. we're in oregon and in cali crickets in the house meant earthquake. sheesh. nooooooo!!!

[B Calm]

39. You want hot, go to Tuscon, Arizona in August.

Bring along a pair of gloves to open your car doors.

[Aerows]

40. I actually lived in Tuscon as a child.

And yes, you could fry eggs on the sidewalk.

There were days where you were cautioned to stay inside, but you had the benefit of evaporative cooling being your mechanism, and it is quite cheap if you do not consider the water use.

In the South, such systems do not work because the water itself is so warm, contributes to the heat, and fans even cease to work.

Normal heat systems do not work in areas, whether crowded or sparse. You are hot, and if it gets to hot, even subsuming in water doesn't help. You just boil. Unless you can devise a refrigerant system that works under extreme humidity and extreme heat, you will not survive, because most certainly power can knock out conventional air conditioning.

What do you do in the deep South high humidity climate?

And this is, indeed, a challenge.

[cali]

43. I much, much prefer the dry heat in Tucson in August to that of the South in August

any day of the week. I find humidity unbearable.

[B Calm]

46. My dad moved there because of his arthritis. When my step mom died in August

about 10 years ago, we went out to the funeral. I couldn't believe how damn hot it was, whewwww. . .

[panader0]

50. Tucson not Tuscon

signed, a local. Actually I live south of Tucson at 4600'. Some of the best weather in the nation.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

42. already an El Nino setting up

and for Gulf Coast that means cool, damp and not many tropical events...

sP

[Vinca]

44. And given the drought out west, it will probably be a summer of forest fires.

I remember when I thought it might be nice to retire to a warmer place, but I'll opt for the 5 foot snow piles still melting outside the door. As long as you have a generator or alternate heat source for power outages, New England is perfect.

[Sunlei]

45. I think it's a decent 'Gulf spring' enough rain for a huge oak/ragweed/flower season & grass

needs mowing once a week already. Didn't lose any fruit buds, will be a very good harvest.

Not sure if the gulf can even have hurricanes with the new jet streams changed by global warming. We could have extreme rains where even places out of the flood plains, flood. recommend flood insurance if you can get it.

[CTyankee]

48. I love the day in spring where I can see the tender green leaves coming out on

my flowering dogwood tree. It gives me hope. Also the early spring flowers poking up through the snow. I get such a lift out of spring after the depressing dark of the winter. I'm getting up in the dark again with the early advent of DST. So I look each day for daylight coming a bit earlier so I can cheer it on!

but you are right about the oppressive humidity of summer. I go hang out in my local library, which is always very cool. My home airconditioning system, while central, isn't really up to the job, with the upstairs being the worst. We have a new roof this year and I'm hoping the up to date material of the shingles will provide some help.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

49. Heat and humidity are fine with me.

Keeps things nice lush and green.

Plus we get some cool clouds.

I have no desire to see snow ever again.

[mnhtnbb]

51. We are expecting 80 degrees here today in Chapel Hill, NC. In March?!? WTF?

Two weeks ago it was snow and ice and worries about the pipes freezing.

The weather has become completely unpredictable from normal/average with
huge swings in hot/cold temps.

I will say, though, that we were in NY in early March and I could not STAND the
radiant--much too warm--heat of the older buildings. It was so warm/moist
inside that you wanted to go sleeveless. And in fact, at one concert we attended
I saw a woman in the row in front of me take off her sweater and sit there in
her sleeveless top. It was about 25 degrees outside.

We should be having a month of 60 degree weather before we hit 80. We never had the 40's of February.

It's all crazy.

[valerief]

52. I read it'd be el nino weather, meaning fewer hurricanes. nt

[Baclava]

53. Relax - 'Florida: Record Nine Years Have Passed Without A Hurricane Landfall'

"This is the longest stretch on record dating to 1851 that no hurricanes have made landfall in the state."

http://www.wunderground.com/news/florida-hurricane-free-streak-luck-run-out-20140801


OK - so maybe we're due