AMAZON

Thursday, August 16, 2007

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!

22 comments:

  1. Jeez Nick. Look after yourself. I'd recommend heading to the nearest library for the day. They're usually air-con'd.

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  2. Thanks for your concern, Phishez. I’ve thought about the library—there’s a large branch a few blocks from my house—but someone really needs to be here with Alex. He’s begun to feel the heat as much as I have.

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  3. Where I live, the temperatures are falling but the humidity is rising, so it's a wash.

    I don't think cats pray, I think they just swear.

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  4. Try to stay cool Nick... the heat can't last forever.

    xxx

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  5. I'm so sorry Alex and you must endure this heat without air conditioning.

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  6. It finally cooled off a little here in Boston...

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  7. Too bad most public places don't allow animals...then at least you could go there and cool off. Maybe you could say that he's your guide cat or something? LOL!

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  8. Mother nature is just reminding us we is small.

    -N

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  9. Maybe you could fill your bath tub with ice and you and Alex can jump ir.

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  10. Okay, quit bragging - I'm still canoeing to work each morning!

    :D

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  11. The heat must be rough on you. It is rough on me and I have air-conditioning. Of course, the forecast for the weekend looks good with 2 days of highs only in the 80s. Ha!

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  12. Hmm ... we could do with just a wee bit of your heat. The weather this summer in England has been atrocious, floods, gales and just a wee bit of warmth.

    Make the most of it before the winter sets in. Anyway air conditioning is bad for you. It's just re-cycled air you are breathing!
    Lorenzo.

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  13. Just looked at your little weather guy on the right and it said your at 101 F. Hope you and Alex are holding out OK.

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  14. make a little sun hat for alex, spray yourself with water and then stand in front of a fan - heaven!

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  15. I hope the heat lets up soon, Nick. It can be so miserable. I love your new picture. You look fabulous!

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  16. Good for you. We have not been so warm up here in Michigan but still much warmer than usual. That darn weather department has been missing more than they have been getting it right. Hopefully they are right now as they say this weekend and next week should be much nicer. I hope the same is true for you and Alex.

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  17. I hope that thunderstorm brings more than a bit of a break in the heat. However, knowing the weather in the Ohio River Valley as I do (a memory I am trying to put on a shelf) I fear all that will happen is increased humidity to go with the heat.

    Remember, Rev. Saint: we have little humidity here in the Arizona desert. Come to us, all of you who swelter east of the Mississippi River and we will give you cool nights and hot, but dry, days.

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  18. Well, I'm glad the temperature dropped for you, Nick. I'd love that, but I loathe the cold!

    Maybe it was a combination of your prayers and Alex's curses...God would probably listen to curses from an animal rather than a human!

    Anyway, glad you're a bit cooler. Hope it lasts. Our weather is getting warmer...yesssss!

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  19. Hi Nick ~~ I am so sorry it has been so very hot for you and Alex and hope the cooler break lasts a while. Glad you enjoyed the farm pictures and the Shipwreck story. Do hope you are feeling better my friend. Regards, Merle.

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  20. Hi Nick,

    I am glad the sudden thunder storm did the trick. But, staying here in India, I can perhaps understand your plight more than anyone else. And poor Alex...

    Drink a lot: that's the only way. I meant water. Ha Ha...

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  21. I know I'm a day late, here, but I just checked the Weather Channel's website and it looks like it's 87 degrees right now. I hope this type of temp, or lower, happens for you now.

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