It is 0025 hrs and the temp is about 95 and it is not even Summer yet….this heat has me thinking about an old debate….
As we enter the Summer season here it South Mississippi I am reminded of the age old debate on whether dry heat is worse than humid heat.
I have lived and worked in both types of heat and let me say here and now that both are damn HOT!
But in my opinion the humid heat is less tolerable…..when I was working I was soaking wet by 10 am,….we are told that sweating is a bodily mechanism to keep the body cool….that is not so true here in the South.
I wanted to let my readers know the answer to the age old debate….while this is explaining it worldwide it does help understand the issue….
This year, even before the northern hemisphere hot season began, temperature records were being shattered. Spain for instance saw temperatures in April (38.8°C) that would be out of the ordinary even at the peak of summer. South and south-east Asia in particular were hammered by a very persistent heatwave, and all-time record temperatures were experienced in countries such as Vietnam and Thailand (44°C and 45°C respectively). In Singapore, the more modest record was also broken, as temperatures hit 37°C. And in China, Shanghai just recorded its highest May temperature for over a century at 36.7°C.
We know that climate change makes these temperatures more likely, but also that heatwaves of similar magnitudes can have very different impacts depending on factors like humidity or how prepared an area is for extreme heat. So, how does a humid country like Vietnam cope with a 44°C heatwave, and how does it compare with dry heat, or a less hot heatwave in even-more-humid Singapore?
https://phys.org/news/2023-06-40c-bearable-lethal-tropics.html
At 0430 hrs it has cooled off to a balmy 93….
Keeping with the weather theme of this post….
Then there is El Nino…..
El Niño is officially here, and while it’s still weak right now, federal forecasters expect this global disrupter of worldwide weather patterns to gradually strengthen.
That may sound ominous, but El Niño – Spanish for “the little boy” – is not malevolent, or even automatically bad.
Here’s what forecasters expect, and what it means for the U.S.
I know….hot is hot!
Since I am retired I have the option of staying in the A/C….which I will gladly choose.
I Read, I Write, You Know
“lego ergo scribo”
Both dry heat and humid heat can be dangerous to human beings, but they present different risks and challenges.
Dry heat occurs when the temperature is high, but the humidity is low. In these conditions, the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating is more efficient. However, the risk of dehydration and heatstroke can be significant. In dry heat, sweat evaporates quickly from the skin, providing a cooling effect. People may not perceive the severity of the heat and may not feel as compelled to seek shade or cool down, which can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Humid heat, on the other hand, occurs when both temperature and humidity levels are high. In humid conditions, the body’s ability to cool down through sweating is hindered because the air is already saturated with moisture, slowing down the evaporation of sweat from the skin. As a result, the body may struggle to regulate its temperature, leading to increased discomfort and an elevated risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
The danger posed by dry heat versus humid heat depends on various factors such as temperature, humidity levels, duration of exposure, individual susceptibility, and access to measures for cooling and hydration. It is important to note that both types of heat can be hazardous, and individuals should take appropriate precautions in extreme weather conditions, such as staying hydrated, seeking shade or air-conditioned environments, and avoiding excessive physical exertion during peak heat hours.
I live in the South so I am well aware of the dangers especially if one works outdoors. chuq
The reason I posted that item was because I am not so sure that everybody is always aware of the dangers of excessive heat ..There are countless case of heat-related illnesses out there because people are either clumsy or unaware. I am glad that you are up to date on the effects of heat. Thank you for sharing.
I appreciate you keeping the readers informed chuq
This one go through alright
Yes it did chuq
SHIT! I cannot log in to comment….WTF? chuq
The minute you see this, let me know if you HAVE seen it.
Seen,,,,thanx chuq
This one got through alright
all seems to be working ok for now…..chuq
The older I become, the more time I spend in the AC!!
I know what you mean….right now it is 1 am and feels like 98…..chuq
The intense heat in Phoenix was 117 when I was there a few years ago…a very dry heat….it was 95 in Paris and humid and felt much worse…you feels soaked in a steamy mist…both are bad and dangerous of course, but dry seems more tolerable for me!
To me as well…..like I told GP…right now it feels like 978 in South Mississippi….very uncomfortable. chuq
I have always hated humid heat, especially at night. We have had dry heat here this week, up to 31C. It was bearable in the shade, and inside with fans running. But that same temperature when we visited Singapore was exhausting, due to the blanket-feel of humidity, and the constant sweating.
Best wishes, Pete.
After a hurricane it is impossible to sleep….sweat keeps you restless. chuq