This Is Why You're Hot...

 

By EDUARDO PAZ-MARTINEZ

McALLEN, Texas | There was a short-lived sprinkling of rain here this afternoon. Coming after three weeks of daily 100-degree temperature readings, Wednesday promised nothing higher than 92 degrees. It was a needed cooldown (can you even say that?).

The second week of July will see rare readings - 85 degrees, with a 60% chance of rain tomorrow - and the debilitating 100-degree readings not expected until next Tuesday, July 11th. But, kids, it's still hot. That "feels-like" temperature is the villain, yeah - the one that takes humidity into account.

If you thought Monday and Tuesday seemed extra-hot, well, you were right.

This about that from the news service Reuters: [ Monday, July 3, was the hottest day ever recorded globally, according to data from the U.S. National Centers for Environmental Prediction. The average global temperature reached 17.01 degrees Celsius (62.62 Fahrenheit), surpassing the August 2016 record of 16.92C (62.46F) as heatwaves sizzled around the world.

The southern United States has been suffering under an intense heat dome in recent weeks. In China, an enduring heatwave continued, with temperatures above 35C (95F). North Africa has seen temperatures near 50C (122F). And even Antarctica, currently in its winter, registered anomalously high temperatures. Ukraine's Vernadsky Research Base located in the white continent's Argentine Islands recently broke its July temperature record with 8.7C (47.6F).

"This is not a milestone we should be celebrating," said climate scientist Friederike Otto of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment at Britain's Imperial College London.

"It's a death sentence for people and ecosystems."

Scientists said climate change, combined with an emerging El Nino pattern, were to blame.

"Unfortunately, it promises to only be the first in a series of new records set this year as increasing emissions of [carbon dioxide] and greenhouse gases coupled with a growing El Nino event easily push temperatures to new highs," said Zeke Hausfather, a research scientist at Berkeley Earth, in a statement. ]

I know, I know.

We're now pretty much in the so-called "Dead of Summer" around here, with heartless killer August right around the corner. You think it's hot now? Son, wait for the Dog Days of Summer.

Stay indoors and hydrate (water), is the popular phrase in town. Naps are good. Plan your day's activities with survival in mind.

Really. Heat stroke kills.

My breakfast outing has been set back from my usual 8:00 AM to 7:00 AM.

Had to...

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