Not How We Want to Greet the Day

URGENT—WEATHER WARNING

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOUISVILLE KY
358 AM EDT THU AUG 16 2007

..HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS EXPECTED ONCE AGAIN ACROSS SOUTHERN INDIANA AND CENTRAL KENTUCKY THIS AFTERNOON...

A LARGE HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE TO THE WEST OF THE REGION WILL ALLOW FOR MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES ACROSS THE REGION THIS AFTERNOON.

AFTERNOON TEMPERATURES ARE FORECAST TO TOP OUT IN THE 96 TO 101 DEGREE RANGE. THESE TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH DEWPOINTS IN THE LOW TO MID 60S WILL PRODUCE HEAT INDEX READINGS OF 100-110 ACROSS MUCH OF THE REGION.

The National Weather Service advises people to avoid prolonged work in the sun or in poorly ventilated areas. Take frequent breaks if you do have to work outside and drink plenty of cold water to keep yourself hydrated.

The National Weather Service also advises residents to be especially protective of the elderly and children, who are most prone to heat-related ailments. Children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions should remain indoors with air conditioning. Also be sure to keep pets watered and with access to shade, if not brought indoors entirely.

A message in my email like the one above that I found this morning is not what I want to wake up to! Alex and I have been struggling to survive without air conditioning and it becomes more difficult each day. We both arise about 4:00 a.m. because that seems to be the coolest time of the entire day. But even at 4:00 a.m. it isn’t that cool. At the moment the outside temperature is 89 F and the temperature in my study is now 88 F.

We are both praying—well, at least I am; I’m not sure about Alex—for a break in these days with 3-digit highs. Soon!

COOLING ADDENDUM (5:22 p.m.): A Bit of Relief!

About 4:00 p.m., while doing a few chores in the kitchen (which has no windows to the outside world) I began to hear what sounded to me like rolling thunder. So Alex and I went outside on the deck and were greeted with a fairly strong wind—too strong for Alex, who retreated into the house.

Evidently a line of thunderstorms that were forecast to pass well north of Louisville came further south than expected. Now, over an hour later, no rain has fallen around my house, but the cool winds and rumble of thunder continue. According to a TV meteorologist, the temperature dropped from 104 F to 87 F in a bit over an hour’s time! As I write these words at 5:20 p.m., the temperature is reported to be “85 degrees (F) and falling.”

I wonder if it was my prayers, or as Thomas pointed out in comments to this post, Alex’s curses, that has brought about the much appreciated relief!