The OFFICIAL East Coast (USA) Record Heat Wave Thread

[Dogmudgeon]

Three days to a week of record high temperatures are expected on the East Coast of North America starting today. It will probably be over 100F in Washington, DC, and over 95F as far north as Boston.

There's going to be quite a lot of talk about Global Warming, the escalating prices of energy, and the sure-to-be-bungled response of the Bush Administration to emergency heat health crises in the poorer areas.

Post your views, reactions, and outrage.

--p!

[Renew Deal]

1. I'm in NY and it's been cool up until today

This is the latest we have gone without turning on the AC in the last few years. We usually need it a couple times in May. Tomorrow is June 7th. Not so bad.

[Kool Kitty]

7. I live in Central NJ and it's not been bad here, either.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

52. I'm about 50 miles of NYC and I just stepped out to water my plants and it isn't so bad here yet. So

far it isn't humid. I'm home working and the air conditioning is doing just fine, thank goodness.

[opihimoimoi]

2. All that sinning .....now things gonna heat up....

[AlCzervik]

3. and here in the great state of California it has been unseasonably chilly, at least in Norcal.

it should already be like Dante's inferno here but it's not and it's weird.

[Shoelace]

12. same here in the Green/Blue state of Oregon

ocean temps are still cold on the West coast. Gulf waters are heating up though.
It's been cold, windy with lots of rain, temps right around 50-60 degrees for days. 10 clear, sunny days in 2008 so far for Portland! That is for the whole year.

[here_is_to_hope]

30. So true...

I am out on the Coast and there is nothing pretty about this weather. We have had 6 days of sun in 2008 and frankly, I have had it up to about here.
I surf quite a bit but again, worst year ever for waves.
Today its 52, North wind off the water at 28 knots, yeah, just lovely out.

[stevedeshazer]

39. We're freezin' our asses off here in the northwest

I hear ya.

[Shoelace]

43. but we don't have tornadoes, and we do have luscious strawberries

being a weather geek, I follow the world weather all the time. Our weather in Oregon has been ah...depressing lately but it's pretty benign compared to other parts of the world, country. No droughts, no huge heatwaves, not much exciting happening here except that our strawberry crop might not be good this summer.
Being an eternal optimist, I figure we can live with 50-60 degrees since we don't need alot of heat for homes, AC for hot days, which saves on PGE bills.
So take heart fellow Oregonians, we still live in the best state in the Union!

[stevedeshazer]

51. Agreed.

:)

[gateley]

4. Raleigh

It's almost 1:30am and it's 82F.

On-going heat advisories.

[janx]

46. That's a drag! n/t

[gateley]

47. Thanks for your sympathy!

When you hear the word "oppressive" in the weather forecast, it's gonna be miserable. :hi:

[jojo54]

5. "sure-to-be bungled response"

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

That's a good one!! Everything about this idiot is bungled.

As far as the heat wave, I'm certainly not looking forward to Monday in the south Jersey area; expected temp. 97 degrees. PSE&G just got a 23% (?) rate hike, too. It's damn possible that Bushco will have gotten their wish by 1.20.09 which is, bankrupting the middle class.

[ccharles000]

6. Greensboro NC.

95 today 99 tomorrow.:cry:

[mwooldri]

11. Here's hoping the A/C will hold out.

It's been making some strange noises ... for me anything above 80 is hot.

[ccharles000]

13. Anything above 65 is hot in my opinion.

[TalkingDog]

23. AC? What's that?

Oh, that's right, I've seen one of those. It's that luxury item that almost everybody is going to have to learn to live without due to rising energy costs and environmental impact.

Grew up without it in Statesville. Never had it. Therefore am not going to miss it.

On the upside, since my theory about the downfall of our government is based on the idea that AC allowed our congresscritters to stay in DC over the sweltering summers instead of going home to live with their constituents, this might work out for everybody.


Things that can help:

Those freezeable gel packs for sprains: get 3, when you get really hot, plop one on top of your head. Or on the back of your neck (with a damp rag in between) the inside of your elbows, back of your knees or groin region, any place with a lot of blood near the surface.

Cool baths or showers. Yes we're also in a drought. But greywater is reusable as long as you don't put soap or aren't too sweaty. So you can water houseplants with it. If it's soapy or salty use it to flush the toilet.

HYDRATE!!!! Lemon in your water not only flavors it, it helps you feel quenched faster.

Re-acclimate your body to the real world. AC is bad for you. Your body isn't really built for the kind of wild temperature swings you get from going in and out of AC on a constant basis. It's stressful.
And when your body is cold, it doesn't know it's not winter so, guess what? It stores fat. Fat keeps you warm. When you go outside in the summer your body isn't prepared in a couple of different ways....

Yes, it's uncomfortable. Yes, it's sweaty and damp and sticky. But your body will adjust. Do yourself, your pocketbook and the environment a favor. Open a window, get a fan, adapt.

But, that said, it took me forever to cool down enough last night to get to sleep, cool packs and all. And obviously since I'm up at 6 am I didn't sleep all that long. Hey, thems the breaks.

[Pavulon]

29. The reason a house at the beach is so expensive

it allowed people who would not normally tolerate that climate to move there and jack the prices...

Kidding, kind of, ac is great. I can live with out it, did for years, but would miss it.

[lovuian]

8. Its pretty amazing to see Boston hotter than Houston

but I have noticed that many places Northern have been registering hotter than Houston last year and it looks like this year too

Very Wierd

[NanceGreggs]

9. HOT and sticky in Toronto all day.

I can't give you the exact temp, because I've never figured out Celsius.

As far as I can tell, it's somewhere between 117 and 223 degrees Fahrenheit - but my math could be a bit off.

[Ghost Dog]

26. Conversions:

- where F represents a temperature in ºF and C represents temperature in ºC :

C = (F-32) * 5 / 9

F = (C * 9 / 5) + 32

To get an idea, 98.6ºF (human body temperature) = 37ºC

I've only once experienced temperatures above 40ºC (104ºF), with high humidity, and found it tough...

[barbtries]

32. lol

i think it's off nance. or armageddon is here, one or the other.

[Captain Angry]

10. Wow, it was 50 out here the other day.

And then it turned into tornadoes for the states downwind.

Weather sure does seem like it's gotten a lot more erratic.

[defendandprotect]

14. I'm in NJ . . . been rainy and humid -- some beautiful days mixed in . . .but

we're averaging temperatures 25 degress above normal ---

Next days will be mid and high 90's . . . and we're not even in mid-June yet!!

90's degress was once only reached in August --- I think we're headed soon for 100's . . .

Hate heat and humidity!!

On the other hand, look at the midwest and the stuff they've been going thru!!!

A friend in North Carolina told me the other night they had extensive black-outs with

tornado warnings --- went on a long time --

[defendandprotect]

15. Can you afford to air condition your car --- ?????

Or are you breathing fumes as you drive --- ???

Meanwhile, PSE&G has alerted us --- or is that alarmed us --- with news of increasing prices !!!!

[DAMANgoldberg]

16. Charlotte NC

Clear 75°F
Hi/Low: 98°/70°Weather Alert

www.charlotte.com/observer

[MedleyMisty]

17. Yeah - I live in Charlotte

I take pics and tours of rental properties so I'm outside a fair bit. It felt almost too hot to breathe today, but well - it's summer in Charlotte. I honestly didn't think it was a heat wave. But I guess usually we don't really see this type of heat until July and August.

My husband and I thought about going to Taste of Charlotte today, but I don't deal well with heat (I have been known to puke when I get overheated) and the thought of being in a huge crowd on a paved road with a lot of cooking going on in this heat....yeah.

The houses without power are still fairly cool compared to outside at the moment, at least on the first floor. Give it another week or so and I'll be changing into one of my husband's undershirts when I come home for lunch (I go to the office and plan my trip and print out a map and get keys, then come home for lunch, and then go out and take the pics) and trying to not pass out when taking pictures on the second floor.

[DAMANgoldberg]

18. It's a little early for the...

what I call when growing up in S Alabama "D*MN" Hot, above 95 degrees. There is no way in H*LL that I'm going downtown for Taste of Charlotte. Not that I don't like the concept, but I am not on the grill. Goodnight from the Westside!

[gateley]

21. Are you a professional photographer?

Do you have to lug 'professional camera stuff' around?

[1776Forever]

19. I am in Florida - We are use to it but it isn't anything I enjoy! Gas prices are killing us here!

I am up at 3 am because I can't sleep. Worried about loosing my home. Tried to find a job for over a year now. Have great references and a Master's Degree in Business and loads of experience. Just no jobs that pay over $8 an hour here anymore unless you know someone to get you in on something and I cannot find an $8 an hour one! My husband is retired Military and thank God we have his income. He works around 32 hours a week for $8 an hour, but it takes $30 for gas for him to get to and from his job in a week.

It isn't a good thing!

God bless the USA! We sure need it now. So many around the world in need too.

[Firespirit]

20. There are also a lot of air quality alerts

Apparently ozone and particle matter will be a major problem along the eastern seaboard as well.

http://www.airnow.gov

A heads-up to fellow asthmatics. :(

[pnorman]

22. Will the M$M decline to report it until AFTER the Election?

For fear of being accused of attempting to "influence the election by highlighting that Global Warming theory"?

Yep, just kidding, but please indulge me. I'm up for a piss-call, and am still a bit unfocused!

pnorman

[screembloodymurder]

24. Should the electric go down in a major city

there will be 100's of deaths.

[Altean Wanderer]

25. Thank you Repuke Senators for killing the global warming bill n/t

[watrwefitinfor]

27. Here in SC we are having an August heat wave

the first week of June. This is unheard of, and is shattering all sorts of records. Temps are hovering around 100 degrees each day and they are saying now that some days will probably be over 100; only getting down to around 80 at night, and not a hint of rain in sight for the foreseeable future. My grass is already turning brown after only three days of it.

Normally here we would be hitting on 80 to 90 degrees through the days, with an occasional foray up to the mid 90s for a day or so, then back down, but usually not till later in the month. Nights would normally still be nice, in the high 60s or low 70s. I've not seen anything like this in the first week of June, ever. And I've seen many Junes.

It should NOT be this hot this long right now. Bad things will come of this.

For instance, all the rain we had this spring has already baked right out of the ground. Many crops are going to shrivel in the fields. I already see the tender young waist high corn plants turning brown. Farms will fail. Gardens will fail. Lettuce and greens will bolt before they mature. Young plants will just dry up. Some people will still try to irrigate their gardens, lowering the water tables even more.

Also, with the ground warming up this much in the first week of June, it will hasten and accentuate the REALLY hot summer weather, that we usually don't get until July. This is very very serious stuff. And IMO it's just what you should expect to start happening as you lose your polar ice cover.

It's going to get ugly, and it's coming faster than I had thought. I had supposed we would not see real warming for a few more years, but realized it could happen any time.

My biggest anger (after Bush and the Repugs, and the lack of real reporting on all the real weather changes this year): the idiot weather readers on the local channels laughing about what great beach weather it is.

Wat

[gateley]

48. The hottest place I've ever been is in

Charleston in August. Walking from the hotel down to that touristy street, my skin felt like I was standing too close to a fire. I can't explain it -- I've been in hot weather and burned before, but I'd never experienced anything like that. My heart goes out to you!

[marmar]

28. 90s in Detroit all weekend....

..... and this is not exactly a dry region of the country, so 90 feels like 100.

[Theres-a]

34. Ack

When is the Redwing's parade? Hope it's not today if it's that hot!

[marmar]

35. Yesterday.....in 92 degree heat.

I watched on TV, and the players were sweating mightily as they were being interviewed.

[barbtries]

31. i'm in NC

it is hot as HELL here. hell, i tell you. thank gawd for AC and swimming pools. my son in CA asked if i had AC. i told him out here you have to have it. in CA i lived the first 52 years of my life and never had it. in NC i think i would die without it. oh, it is really hot. and it has been really hot all week, in the 90's since at least thursday. so only today it's officially a heat wave. i didn't know that, thanks

[graywarrior]

33. 60 degrees in North Conway right now

Supposed to hit the 90's later. I'm heading for higher ground.

[Squatch]

36. Isn't it normally hot in the summer?

:shrug:

I swear, folks, sometimes this place really cracks me up.

[marmar]

37. It's not technically summer yet.....

.... and this hot, this early really isn't normal.

[Squatch]

38. LOL...

There's the sun, hanging our in the center of the solar system:

"You mean I still have 14 days until I can make it hot down there? Aw, maaaaaan."

WEATHER does not equal CLIMATE.

[TalkingDog]

58. No claims for climate change, but this weather is

mid to late August hot.

Usually in NC we'll edge up to the high 80's in June, Low 90's in July and in '93 we had 30 days of over 100 degree days.

If this trend continues, we're looking at 100's in July and 110's in August. And believe me, having traveled, "It ain't the heat, it's the humidity"

It is literally suffocating. Frail people are getting sick and some will most likely die, so I'm not sure laughing is all that helpful.

As for us, in order to do any work outside we are taking the Tropical Approach. Get up at 6:30 work for an hour, have a snack, work until 10. Eat brunch, do indoor chores, siesta after a late lunch then work outside again after 5.

The only reason I'm even on the board at this hour of the day is it's too damned hot to be outside and I LIKE the heat.

[rainbow4321]

41. In defense of the East Coast people..

I was born/raised in NJ and now live in TX. When you hear people up in the NE talk about the 90's being hot to them, it IS hot for them. I remember our summers being in the mid 80's at the highest. Nicest summers of my life.
80% of the schools in NJ have NO air conditioning..this stat was from just a couple years ago when they had their last heat wave. School had to be shut down at the time. I believe alot of them also have those flat, black tarlike roofs which makes them attract heat that much easier.
Now I am in TX and we have been in the 90's for about 2 weeks now, I think. I cannot even say it is hot because OUR hot down here kicks in when the mercury hits 100. Yeah, it's been in the 90's but there has been somewhat of a breeze so it is tolerable. Given that we have had summers where we have had a month or more of consecutive 100 degrees with no rain, 90 is no big deal FOR US.

Let's all remember "hot" is a relative term..what is hot to someone in another part of the country may be below norm temps for someone else who lives 3000 miles away.

[Squatch]

42. I am an "East Coast people"

I live in Woodbridge, VA outside of DC. These temps are absolutely normal for this area.

In fact, I was pleasantly surprised at how cool the spring had been up until last week. However, I know that these seasonal regional variations are completely normal. Next spring, we may not be so lucky and have a scorcher, instead.

[Gormy Cuss]

54. It's not that hot in New England this early in the season, as a rule.

Temps in the 90s are more of a July-August thing. Now it should be in the 70s in most of New England. Most people don't even plant tomatoes until Memorial Day because the ground isn't warm enough. Summer (the weather, not the calendar season)is a short season.

[TheWatcher]

57. Terminal Apathy

My Favorite Sin.....

Just Kidding. :)

I have to say though, Although I am raising an eyebrow with the weather going on out there in the East, I am shocked that things are so cool herein Washington. Like another poster said, this is one of the coldest Springs in Memory, and it isn't going to change anytime soon.

Snow in the Passes and Record low temperatures in the Lowlands last night.

The weather is very odd.

[Cooley Hurd]

40. I'm up on Sacandaga Lake (NY) on the boat...

It's 75 here now - supposed to be upwards of 90 today...

[Summer93]

44. Central MA here

The temp at 11 a. today is now 70 degrees. Yesterday's weather report predicted 95 degrees for the next 4-5 days. Also there is an air quality alarm.

I've filled my portable oxygen in case the power to the electrical oxygen generator goes out. I'm happy as long as I still have my PC I can sit here and enjoy myself for a long time.

Oh, that one task I didn't want to think about I need to take trash to the dump today.

[annabanana]

45. Not scorching yet (Long Island)

I'll keep you posted..

:eyes:

[ensho]

49. hope the electricity stays on for you all

nt

[fight4my3sons]

50. 64 in Phippsburg, ME (Popham Beach)

High of 73 today. It is supposed to get up to 86 tomorrow which is HOT up here. Tomorrow is my twins' birthday so we will probably go to the beach along with everyone else in town :)

[slipslidingaway]

53. Saturday Clear. High: 105°

Baghdad, Iraq
http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/40650.html?MR=1

Summer number 6 after the invasion with a scarcity of water and electricity.

Sorry for straying off topic, it is currently 93 where I live.

[dawgman]

55. Ironically here in Wa State we are having the coldest spring

I have ever seen.

It was supposed to snow up to 2' in the cascade passes and we haven't seen 60 degrees in two weeks.

[Summer93]

56. slowdown

May be we are having a brown out - web brown out. Web pages are taking forever to transfer. Email seems to be ok. Anyone having this difficulty?