# How are Dopers in the West handling the extreme heat? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 30, 2013, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272 "2013-06-30T17:05:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2013, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/21 "2013-06-30T21:06:35Z")
> [@Palo\_Verde](#): > > I live in Tucson and it’s going to be 112 here today. And while miserable, we are well equipped to handle it. It is over 100 every year in May, June, July, August, September and October, so everywhere you go has lots of AC, and the public pools are cheap and widely available. > > The time I suffered the worst in the heat was one summer that I spent in Toronto of all places. It was in the mid 90s, but no one had ACs or even fans, and it was totally miserable. It’s better to be someplace that is used to it. I live in Tucson, too, and yes it is hellishly hot. I have AC, but most summers I run up a $180 a month electric bill, so I’m trying to build up my tolerance for the heat and run it only rarely. It stays about 90° in my house in the daytime, but at least I’m not outside in the direct sun. I’m running an electric fan in my bedroom and it makes it comfortable enough to sleep. I can handle the heat when I’m awake, but I can’t sleep if it’s too hot. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2013, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/22 "2013-06-30T22:38:10Z")
86ºF here (‘Feels like 89’). We have fans on. I just took a cool shower. Might have to think about buying an air conditioner. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2013, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/23 "2013-06-30T22:59:58Z")
Yeah it’s only like 88 in Seattle but no AC and I’m on the 4th floor with windows on just one wall. Also my bedroom and my bathroom share a wall with some kind of electrical room which makes them noticeably hotter than the rest of the apartment. So it sucks. A few years ago (I’m sure all the Seattleites remember it well), it got up to about 104 and that was torture. That’s the only time I’ve ever had it be so hot that even in the car with the AC turned way up, it was still fucking hot. Thankfully at the time I lived on the ground floor/basement (it was on a hill, ground floor on one side and underground on the other). When I walked upstairs to get the mail I felt like I couldn’t breathe. But at least you people with AC can be comfortable when you’re at home. When it’s hot here most of us are hot every second. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2013, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/24 "2013-06-30T23:11:29Z")
In San Jose it’s only 94 today, down from 102 yesterday. A good weekend to watch movies and hit the pool. I try to be conservative using my AC in the summer. But on days like this, I turn it on once the sun hits the living room windows. ---
**Author:** ![Cheez\_Whia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Cheez\_Whia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheez_Whia)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2013, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/25 "2013-06-30T23:12:05Z")
Our forecasts for the next few days have been downgraded to the high 90’s, instead of the record-setting 107 we had been expecting! We are so glad we traded our [swamp cooler](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evaporative_cooler) for A/C last year! ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2013, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/26 "2013-06-30T23:12:16Z")
I whine constantly and refuse to cook. It’s been in the high 90s and low 100s here in Albuquerque this week, but we’re supposed to get a break and maybe even some rain in the coming week. Which is, of course, when Mr. Legend will be in north-central California, where our high pressure system is going. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2013, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/27 "2013-06-30T23:48:23Z")
> [@InternetLegend](#): > > I whine constantly and refuse to cook. That’s what I do regardless of the weather. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2013, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/28 "2013-06-30T23:53:43Z")
It’s been around 110 here in Sacramento the last couple of days, and it’s supposed to be a bit hotter the next couple. But we get 100+ temps for a week or so once or twice a summer at least, so it’s only ‘a little bit’ hotter than normal. ---
**Author:** ![chewsick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6f9a4e/32.png) [@chewsick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chewsick)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/29 "2013-07-01T02:47:02Z")
Reminds me of home. I like it and I like chortling at people who are all like “OMG it’s so muggy!” Usually only get to weather-chortle in winter when ice and a little snow falls out on the coast. Yeah, it’s hot enough, and I’m sweating constantly – no AC, no car. Protip: black shirts hide sweat pretty good. But salt stains are prone to show up on black dress shirts. How does Californication star David Duchovny do it? We’ll never know, Chet. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/30 "2013-07-01T03:01:54Z")
Ahhhh. It’s raining a little now. Blessed relief, it’s down to about 81° F at 8:00 PM. We had a high temperature warning all weekend. Monsoon season started on June 15, but it has yet to rain any considerable amount. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/31 "2013-07-01T03:15:39Z")
I’m good with triple digit heat, but OMFG, the humidity is killing me. We use remote controls to start the truck and turn the AC on, and then when the condensation puddle is bigger than the truck, its OK to go from AC’s home to truck to work. My skin has never looked better, though. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/32 "2013-07-01T03:20:13Z")
We hit 107 today, and we’re at 3000 ft., more or less. Been parked in front of the A/C all day with the cats. ---
**Author:** ![BigShooter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f07891/32.png) [@BigShooter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigShooter)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/33 "2013-07-01T03:27:15Z")
I’m in Surprise, AZ (Northwest Phoenix) and it’s been in the 115 - 119 F range for the last three days. Brutal - and that’s coming from some one who’s lived here for most of his life. I’m starting to wonder if I can stand another summer here… We’ve also got a nasty wildfire happening in Yarnell - just up Highway 89 from here. Lost 18 firefighters today. Tragic… [http://www.kpho.com/story/22724064/18-firefighters-dead-in-yarnell-wildfire](http://www.kpho.com/story/22724064/18-firefighters-dead-in-yarnell-wildfire) ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/34 "2013-07-01T03:52:53Z")
Another Phoenician checking in. Horrible. Parking lots are the absolute worst. Ever see someone park their car and go into a store, then move their car 100 yards to go to the next shop in the same plaza? \ The man works in construction, and there’s no power where he’s working now; even with a gen he can only power a fan and push the hot air around. I keep damp rags in a tupperware in the fridge to cool him off when he gets home. I am not sure it’s even possible for him to hydrate enough. Dinner last nite was microwave popcorn. Tonite it was milkshakes. Hydration is a constant issue. And don’t even ask about the electric bill. We set the thermostat at about 76 during the day, and much lower at nite-it rarely if ever shuts off. Tripping over cats that lay on the “cool” tile is a hazard. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/35 "2013-07-01T03:53:41Z")
Also in Southern AZ and all is well except for when the power went off briefly. I just read the terrible news that [19 firefighters died](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_WILDFIRES_ARIZONA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-06-30-23-19-19) in a wild fire north of Phoenix, so I’m not going to complain. At all. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/36 "2013-07-01T03:56:01Z")
> [@BigShooter](#): > > We’ve also got a nasty wildfire happening in Yarnell - just up Highway 89 from here. Lost 18 firefighters today. Tragic… > > [http://www.kpho.com/story/22724064/18-firefighters-dead-in-yarnell-wildfire](http://www.kpho.com/story/22724064/18-firefighters-dead-in-yarnell-wildfire) > [@koeeoaddi](#): > > I just read the terrible news that [19 firefighters died](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_WILDFIRES_ARIZONA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-06-30-23-19-19) in a wild fire north of Phoenix, so I’m not going to complain. At all. BBC TV just had that as Breaking News, although they’re still saying 18. Horrible stuff. I have a cousin in California who is a professional firefighter. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/37 "2013-07-01T04:16:02Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Of course, we have the humidity too. > [@appleciders](#): > > Pfff. It’s hot, sure, but it’s not humid. I’ll take our 95F dry over an 80F with humidity any day. How do you know it hasn’t been humid? In fact, in the Los Angeles area it _ **has** _ been humid the past few days. However, most of the city never went over 100. ---
**Author:** ![tralfamidor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@tralfamidor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tralfamidor)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/38 "2013-07-01T04:28:02Z")
I am within reach of the CA coast, so I said the hell with it today and went to Santa Cruz. Of course, the whole planet was there, and all the motels had tripled their prices (why do anything other than gouge people when a unique opportunity presents itself??), so I didn’t stay. But simply breathing cool air and walking on the beach was restorative enough that I don’t mind 101 degrees now that I’m back home. The government recorded my visit, so it now knows that if it wants me to scream out the names of my co-conspirators, Room 101 will be a place where it’s 101 degrees and no air conditioning. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/39 "2013-07-02T01:27:12Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > \ Thais are used to thinking of the US as a cold country. \ The US is a cold country? Oh, _Thais_ think that. That makes more sense. I always marvel at our Asian immigrants who are wearing heavy clothing when everyone else is in pasties and a g-string here. 😃 > [@Palo\_Verde](#): > > \ > The time I suffered the worst in the heat was one summer that I spent in Toronto of all places. It was in the mid 90s, but no one had ACs or even fans, and it was totally miserable. It’s better to be someplace that is used to it. That’s funny; I think of Toronto as one of the hottest, muggiest, most miserable places in Canada, where everyone has AC because they need it. Maybe AC just caught on recently. 🙂 > [@flatlined](#): > > I’m good with triple digit heat, but OMFG, the humidity is killing me.\ I visited a place with high humidity for a couple of days (Victoria, BC), and my hair curled right up. It was awesome! But I don’t want to live in soup. I don’t know how people survive in such hot places, either. It’s been around +25ºC here lately (77ºF), and we’re dying (I’m about ready to adjourn to our nice, cool basement). I think anything over 100ºF might kill me! ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272/40 "2013-07-02T02:23:42Z")
I’m staying indoors and leaving the AC on all night. Its set to about the mid-high 70’s, so somewhere around 3am it should shut off… :smack: Apparently, reading some of those stories on the Death Valley temps, its a weird little thing for some Euros to do to be at DV when its gets really hot. Its like their hobby or something. What gives? > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > The wife’s niece will be attending a **convention in Los Angeles in July**. She’s about 30 now. This will be her first trip abroad as an adult and first-ever to the US. Thais are used to thinking of the US as a cold country. I think she’s in for a surprise. Anime Expo? 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-dopers-in-the-west-handling-the-extreme-heat/662272.md?page=3)