Tag: summer

how to calculate the heat index

Have you ever wondered what the formula is to determine the heat index? You might be surprised…

Heat Index = -42.379 + 2.04901523T + 10.14333127R – 0.22475541TR – 6.83783×10-3T2 – 5.481717×10-2R2 + 1.22874×10-3T2R + 8.5282×10-4TR2 – 1.99×10-6T2R2

Who knew it was that complicated? If you want a full explanation of all those variables, go here (if you dare): It’s Not the Heat, It’s the Humidity. There are a lot of assumptions built into that equation. Basically, the heat index is different for everyone. That formula is based on an average of someone who is 5’7″ and weighs 147 pounds. The equation even accounts for how much clothes coverage you have — it assumes 84% based on “long trousers and short-sleeved shirt”. Trousers? I don’t wear trousers… I’m not British!

There should be a separate heat index for the South. On the worst of days, we don’t need a number — it should just say “STAY INSIDE!”. Because there’s days where you step out the door and you’re instantly sweating. I don’t know how that’s possible, but it’s a thing. When you can feel your skin start to burn within seconds, it’s just not safe. On those days, just stay inside.

why southern weather makes no sense

In this video (below) there’s a person scheduling the weather for the South (meaning southern United States, from part of Arkansas to Florida). Attending this meeting are the four seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. What will happen as they try to figure out what kind of weather the South should have this year? (This is comedy, if it isn’t obvious.)

While that’s exaggerated, there is some truth to it. My favorite part is winter planning a few snowflakes to shut everything down. That actually does happen. I know people in the up north don’t get it, but in the South there are very few snowplows or trucks to salt the roads. Also, southerners typically don’t have much experience in how to drive in snow, so there’s that danger. But it’s all okay, because snow is so rare here, so it’s a special occasion. I have a friend that grew up in the South, then moved to Colorado. She said most people there take snow for granted, because they see so much of it. Many of the people there didn’t have any interest in throwing snowballs or building a snowman (or snow castles or snow monsters, which deserves its own post).

While there is a lack of snow most of the winter, it also means much of the winter is somewhat mild. It does get below freezing at times, but that’s usually just for a day or two, then it’ll be back to the 60s by the end of the week, so you can return to shorts and T-shirts. The only bad part is the middle of summer, where extreme amounts of heat and humidity mix together for a rather unpleasant atmosphere. But it’s just two months that are really bad. The same people made a video about that, too:

If you haven’t experienced southern humidity, then you might not get it. There are summer days where you walk outside and within seconds you are sweating. Sometimes it seems like sweating starts instantly. I don’t know how quickly the body can respond to the change in temperatures, but that’s not something I particularly want to research. (I will add that I am extremely thankful for air conditioning!)

There’s a saying in the South that if you don’t like the weather, just wait a day or two and it’ll change. That is mostly true, except for July and August, where there’s a 99% chance of it being hot and humid every single day. So for those months, the weatherman’s job of making the forecast is easy — really hot, with a 20% chance of thunderstorms, almost every day.

the special days of June, pt 3

We’ll now continue our look at the special days / holidays / celebrations / observations of June.  These are the daily holidays.

  • 16 Fresh Veggies Day — Vegetables probably need to be emphasized in my eating routine / diet, because they normally aren’t.  But I don’t see this happening.  I know, it’s just one day, but life is short.
  • 16 National Fudge Day — Ah, this is a much better usage of June 16 than fresh veggies!  And since it doesn’t seem like both would coincide well, I’ll have to choose one.  I won’t have to think long about this one…  🙂
  • 17 Eat Your Vegetables Day — What?!?  Is there some conspiracy going on here?  Wasn’t the previous day focusing on vegetables?  This is getting out of hand…
  • 17 World Juggler’s Day — This may sound silly, like something you’d just ignore, but it could be fun.  Even if you’re not a good juggler (and most of us aren’t), you should still try juggling this day.  Grab some of your co-worker’s desk objects and juggle them in his cubicle (while he’s still in it).  If you drop the stapler or toss it into the wall, that’s okay.  I’m sure he/she will get a kick out of it.  Be sure to tell them it’s a holiday, or they might get confused or upset…
  • 18 Go Fishing Day — Fishing isn’t one of my favorite things to do, but it is better than working, so I’ll list it.
  • 18 International Panic Day — There’s enough fear and panic already, with all the terrorists on the loose.  There’s no need for emphasis of it.
  • 18 National Splurge Day — We’ve been taught about moderation, keeping things in balance, so a day set aside for splurging seems like a great idea.  I reckon this could apply to any area, including food, sleeping in, taking a longer-than-normal lunch break, taking a nap, playing more video games than normal, etc.
  • 18 International Picnic Day — A picnic is a good time, although a good time for this day would’ve been in the spring or fall, when temperatures are better.  And on a somewhat related side note, it seems like every time I go on a picnic, it’s extra windy.  I don’t know why, but it seems like that always happens.
  • 19 World Sauntering Day — I’d never heard of sauntering, so I looked it up.  The dictionary defines sauntering as “walking along slowly, happily and aimlessly”.  That sound good to me.  Because if you’re walking aimlessly, it means you aren’t going anywhere specific, which means you’re not working.  That will help you to walk happily, too.  🙂
  • 20 Ice Cream Soda Day — This is excellent!  There are numerous variations, and if you don’t have a favorite, feel free to try several.  The most popular ones are a good start: Coke and vanilla ice cream, and root beer and ice cream.
  • 21 Finally Summer Day — This is for the Summer Solstice.  I’m not sure I really want to celebrate this, because here in Arkansas it gets quite hot and humid in the summer.  If you like sweating a lot and feeling drained of energy, it would be great, but that’s not really my cup of tea.
  • 21 National Hollerin’ Contest Day — A quick glance online found a place that actually has a festival built around this holiday.  While a festival might be fun because of the food and a car show, I don’t know that I’d like to hear a hollerin’ contest…
  • eclair22 National Chocolate Eclair Day — This sounds good!  For those of you not in the know, an eclair is a long, thin pastry filled with cream and topped with icing.  It’s similar to a type of donut called “long johns”.  Whatever you call them, they’re scrumptious!
  • 23 National Columnists Day — Technically, I’m a columnist, in that I write on this blog, and it’s organized by columns.  So this is a holiday to celebrate me!  So feel free to send me cookies, gift cards, cash, etc.
  • 23 National Pink Day — One website said everyone should wear pink this day, and that guys should get in touch with their feminine side, that girls would love them for it.  Maybe certain girls would like it, if they’re looking for a wuss.  Obviously this “holiday” doesn’t apply to all people.  I, for one, don’t have a “feminine side”.
  • 23 Take Your Dog to Work Day — There are actually a few companies that allow this now on a full-time basis.  If yours isn’t one, be sure to let your boss know about this holiday.  Or, you could just get everyone to bring their dogs this day, then explain it when your boss gets confused.  (FYI, we’re not liable if you lose your job for following any of our suggestions.)  🙂
  • 24 Swim a Lap Day — I would, if I had a swimming pool.
  • 25 Log Cabin Day — Likewise, I would go spend the weekend at a log cabin, if I had one.  Whoever created this holiday must not have thought about everyone else.  Unless, he rents out log cabins…
  • lightning photo25 National Catfish Day — You can have your own fish fry for this holiday, but to me, this says “seafood buffet”.  That way, you can eat lots of catfish, while also enjoying shrimp, hushpuppies, fries, etc.
  • 26 Forgiveness Day — I forgive you for not checking this blog every day.  (But don’t let it happen again!)
  • 26 National Chocolate Pudding Day — Mmm…
  • 27 Paul Bunyan Day — Do you remember Paul Bunyan?  I remember reading about him.  He was larger than life, featured in many tall tales.  He had a pet named Babe The Blue Ox.  Here’s a few of his stories, in condensed form.
  • 29 Camera Day — For this day, I’ll show you one of the pictures I took from my backyard.  I’ve always been fascinated with thunder and lightning.
  • 29 Waffle Iron Day — To honor the waffle iron, we should eat waffles.  Be sure to have some Aunt Jemima syrup ready (or whatever you prefer).
  • meteor striking earth30 Meteor Day — Meteors are neat when we see them streaking through the sky, but you don’t want one landing in your yard.  We’ve discussed before what might happen if a big meteor or asteroid hits Earth.  It could destroy life as we know it.  And that would be a bad day, indeed!  (Click here for more info on that.)  So let’s hope they all stay out in space, or that someone is prepared to blow them up before they hit Earth.

Well, that concludes our analysis of the special days of June.  I hope you found something you could celebrate.

Click here to search for the posts about the other special days of June.