Heat

Most people are aware that Louisiana is located in a rather warm and humid part of the world. However, even by our local standards, the past few days have been hot. Normally at this time of year, the mean temperature us around 83 degrees F (28 degrees C), with highs around 91 degrees F (32 degrees C) and lows around 74 degrees F (23 degrees C). Today though the temperature peaked at 101 degrees F (38 degrees C), equaling the previous maximum recorded today, back in 1925.

Of course, humidity also plays a part. Today the heat index reached 110 degrees F. This is hot enough to be dangerous. We will be under a heat advisory until at least 9pm this evening, meaning that the heat index will be above 105 degrees F until then. The low tonight (without heat index) is forecast to be 81 degrees F. This is too damn hot, if you ask me.

With weather like this, one has to change the way one goes about doing things. I considered attacking my lawn today, but decided against it, as it would be potentially dangerous. Instead, I ran some errands. However, the heat was too much for the rather pathetic A/C in my truck. It just could not keep up. I was glad to get back inside after that little foray. Rather than working in the yard, I elected to do some carpentry work that I have been meaning to get around to for some time. At least this weather makes jobs like that get done at last.

Things are not looking like they will get much better in the next few days either. Perhaps by next weekend, the temperature will drop, if we get some clouds and rain. Of course, this will send the humidity up, but one cannot have everything.

Being forced to stay inside is also conducive to the other great obsession in this part of the world at this time of year, watching the Caribbean and the Atlantic for potential hurricanes. In the near term, things are looking pretty good. However, there is a tropical wave that is coming off the coast of Africa. This looks like it has a fair bit of potential to develop. Looking at the predictions of the various weather models, this could put a storm into the Gulf of Mexico is eleven days, or so. Let us hope the models are wrong. In the meantime, thank goodness for air conditioning...

The CP