thedrifter
08-07-07, 07:51 AM
Think it's hot? History says not
Wisconsin State Journal editorial
August 6, 2007
Many of us will be complaining about the heat this week.
What a bunch of whiners we are.
Sure, it is going to be hot. The forecast calls for the temperature to hit 90 degrees on Wednesday and Friday. High humidity will make it feel even hotter.
But when did Wisconsinites become so soft that 90 degrees is something to complain about?
Consider the summer of 1936. That year the temperature in Madison soared over 100 degrees on July 7, and it remained over 100 for six of the next seven days.
During that heat wave, on July 14, Madison's temperature hit 107, the highest in the city's history.
On July 13 the temperature in Wisconsin Dells reached 114, the highest temperature ever recorded in Wisconsin.
That same day, every weather station in Wisconsin, except one on an island in Lake Michigan, recorded a temperature above 100 degrees.
The rest of that summer was not much cooler. The temperature in Madison topped 100 again on Aug. 18, and it was over 90 much of the rest of the time.
It was so hot that asphalt roads melted. Concrete buckled.
As intolerable as it was outside, it was often even worse inside. Air conditioning in homes was rare, and rooms held the daytime heat into the night.
Yet, people coped. They sat in front of fans blowing over blocks of ice. They slept outside.
Cities opened fire hydrants for children to play in.
Farmers continued to work their fields, stopping to wring the sweat from their shirts.
The summer of 1936 was the hottest on record. But other summers have been hot in Madison, too. During the last week in August of 1953 the temperatures hovered in the mid-90s every day before topping out at 100 on Aug. 31.
It was 100 or more on four record-setting days in July and August of 1955.
The summer of 1988 was also a scorcher. That year provided 12 days in June, July and August with record high temperatures. Six of those days topped 100 degrees.
The folks who lived through that kind of heat would no doubt be amused to find us complaining about this week.
Which is not to say that hot weather is anything to take casually. It can be dangerous, especially for people with health problems, young children and pets.
And it does not have to be 100 degrees to be dangerous.
In 1995 a heat wave with temperatures in the 90s was linked to 141 deaths in Wisconsin.
By all means, be smart this week. Recognize that it is indeed hot. Furthermore, in the high humidity, your perspiration will not evaporate as quickly, making it more difficult for your body to cool itself.
Compensate by seeking shade and cooler rooms.
Drink plenty of water.
Do not leave children or pets alone in a parked car.
But when you catch yourself complaining, consider the summer of 1936. It just might make you feel cooler, by comparison.
Ellie
Weather Check....
They are predicting here 100 for us
Wisconsin State Journal editorial
August 6, 2007
Many of us will be complaining about the heat this week.
What a bunch of whiners we are.
Sure, it is going to be hot. The forecast calls for the temperature to hit 90 degrees on Wednesday and Friday. High humidity will make it feel even hotter.
But when did Wisconsinites become so soft that 90 degrees is something to complain about?
Consider the summer of 1936. That year the temperature in Madison soared over 100 degrees on July 7, and it remained over 100 for six of the next seven days.
During that heat wave, on July 14, Madison's temperature hit 107, the highest in the city's history.
On July 13 the temperature in Wisconsin Dells reached 114, the highest temperature ever recorded in Wisconsin.
That same day, every weather station in Wisconsin, except one on an island in Lake Michigan, recorded a temperature above 100 degrees.
The rest of that summer was not much cooler. The temperature in Madison topped 100 again on Aug. 18, and it was over 90 much of the rest of the time.
It was so hot that asphalt roads melted. Concrete buckled.
As intolerable as it was outside, it was often even worse inside. Air conditioning in homes was rare, and rooms held the daytime heat into the night.
Yet, people coped. They sat in front of fans blowing over blocks of ice. They slept outside.
Cities opened fire hydrants for children to play in.
Farmers continued to work their fields, stopping to wring the sweat from their shirts.
The summer of 1936 was the hottest on record. But other summers have been hot in Madison, too. During the last week in August of 1953 the temperatures hovered in the mid-90s every day before topping out at 100 on Aug. 31.
It was 100 or more on four record-setting days in July and August of 1955.
The summer of 1988 was also a scorcher. That year provided 12 days in June, July and August with record high temperatures. Six of those days topped 100 degrees.
The folks who lived through that kind of heat would no doubt be amused to find us complaining about this week.
Which is not to say that hot weather is anything to take casually. It can be dangerous, especially for people with health problems, young children and pets.
And it does not have to be 100 degrees to be dangerous.
In 1995 a heat wave with temperatures in the 90s was linked to 141 deaths in Wisconsin.
By all means, be smart this week. Recognize that it is indeed hot. Furthermore, in the high humidity, your perspiration will not evaporate as quickly, making it more difficult for your body to cool itself.
Compensate by seeking shade and cooler rooms.
Drink plenty of water.
Do not leave children or pets alone in a parked car.
But when you catch yourself complaining, consider the summer of 1936. It just might make you feel cooler, by comparison.
Ellie
Weather Check....
They are predicting here 100 for us