I think you’ll find what they’re feeling is called relief, or possibly frostbite as sensation returns to extremities
On the subject of weather though, I really wouldn’t mind if it’s oven hot or freezer cold, except for one thing - I have to wear a suit to work. The worlds most useless garment - in any form of heat it leaves you stifled and suffocated, yet the slightest hint of cold it’s about as warming as a bikini.
But give me jeans and tshirt, and you can play with the thermostat to your hearts content.
The record for temperature extremes in the U.S. is held by Browning, MT during one 24 hour period.
I lived in Hawaii for a few years, upon my return to the states I landed in Seattle, Washington where the temperature was around 40F degrees, this felt extremely rude after living in the tropics. Unbelievably cold. And I grew up in a state where -10F is not uncommon. It’s just the body acclimates to the prevailing temperature. It wasn’t until the next winter that I felt my old self towards cold weather
Anyone who’s spent time hunting or camping, ice fishing for a few days out in subzero weather finds the typical thermostat settings to be a little on the high side when they return home.
It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity. But it’s a dry heat.
Give me the cold any time. I’m like Opal, I can wrap up and always get warm during the winter, but in the summer there’s just not much you can do about it but swelter. Maybe if the humidity wasn’t so high it would be more bearable. When I visited CanadianSue last year in Edmonton, it was as hot there as it was here in NC, but it just wasn’t the same feeling because of the difference in humidity.
MMmm… I miss that sooo much. When we moved from Tucson to northern VA we were horrified to find how warm most businesses kept it. Especially in the winter! My god! They crank up the heat to about 85[sup]o[/sup], and you’re wearing clothing designed for the 35[sup]o[/sup] outdoor temp… and they won’t even let you strip down to your underwear. 72 is a wonderful number. It’s my husband’s “lucky number” it’s the year I was born (ok 1972. I’m not almost 2,000 years old) and it is a nice, comfy temperature as well.
I don’t think that everyone can acclimate. I spent 25 years hotter than hell, with no a/c, and I still never acclimated. I think that some people’s internal thermometers are just more sensitive than others, in one direction or both.
The U.S.M.C. agrees with you, Scylla. When I was stationed on Okinawa, all new incoming Marines were given light duty for about 2 weeks (IIRC) to get acclimated to the heat and humidity. We used to see a lot of them in the Naval Hospital that didn’t pay attention to their orders.
I have an air conditioner in my office, but I don’t turn it on unless it’s truly uncomfortable out. I don’t have a/c at home and don’t like getting my body’s internal thermostat off wack.
