The 100 Year Heat Wave
By theprofessionalhobo ~ February 5th, 2009. Filed under: Australia.
I got what I asked for, in spades. Heat, heat, and even more…heat.
Typically the Legendary Hot Days of more than 40 degrees that plague Australian summers are sporadic. You get a day or two here and there, and then the temperatures fall back to more respectable temperatures in the 30s (Celsius of course).
We are now well over one week of solid heat over 40 degrees, and although there is a promise of rain in the not-too-distant future, nobody here believes it until they see it.
I figured the heat wave we are experiencing was par for the course in Australia, but this is not so. This heat wave is quite uncharacteristic, and many Aussies have never seen the likes of it. In fact, the only Australians who might have experienced this before would be well over 100 years old….as this heat wave is being nicknamed the “100 Year Heat Wave,” since the last bout of solid heat like this was…well…100 years ago.
As a Canadian used to braving the chilly winters, the first thing people say to me in conversation is “So…how are you liking this heat?” I think most people expect me to melt right in front of them into a puddle of sweat-induced trauma.
So it comes as something of a surprise to them when I retort with “I Love It!” They step back, and look at me like I am demented. I usually follow this unsettling comment with an observation about how heat like this is not exactly comfortable, but that it sure beats minus 40 degrees in my book (even minus 30, minus 20, heck – anything below 0 degrees for that matter).
So while you may see me with a drop or twenty of sweat on my brow, you won’t hear me complaining about the heat, and what’s more – you will see a wide smile on my face as I bake from the inside out.
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February 5th, 2009 at 8:40 am
hmmm..
You may be right. But I still think it’s easier to stay warm in the cold, than it is to cool down in the heat.
enjoy your heatwave! we’re catching the edge of it, but it’s only in the 30s this week.
February 6th, 2009 at 10:03 am
As a Canadian, I too am not used to the heat, but I adapt. Mind you, I adapt to the cold too. Winter’s well past its half way point, and I’m yet to wear long sleeves. so…