Brooklyn, N.Y. - 1940 When I was a kid growing up in Brooklyn New York, I remember the hot days of summer because no matter what the temperature was, we were outside playing on the slate and cement sidewalk or the blacktop of a playground. We played Yo-Yos, Stoop Ball, Punch Ball, Stick Ball, Corks, Tag, and we spun Tops. Also since Hide and Seek was for little kids, (I was around nine years old) I made up the game Hide and Hunt. The difference allowed each person hiding from the Hunter to keep changing hiding spots or stay on the move to avoid being found. Now if you need me to explain what the game Corks, Yo-Yos, or Stoop Ball is all about, then you are too young or just not a city kid. Also when we became bored, which was rare, we played, "What Do You Want To Do? I Don't Know, What Do You Want To Do?" This was basically a game where you asked the question over and over again as you pushed the person you asked. That was it.
Medic's Bag used in Pacific Theater, WW2 We all drank water from my Great Uncle's garden hose, after running the water until it became cold. My Great Uncle was a Medic during World War Two in the Pacific. Actually, he was a pharmacist who just graduated from St. John's University before being called by the Uncle Sam to be a Medic. He was the one that taught us to wait until the water was cold, because warm water would have bacteria and make us sick. He was always on the "look out" for us kids on the block. As a Medic in the war he shared few stories, and those that he did tell, were only heard when he spoke of them when he was very old. He didn't want to lose any kid on our block, and we were a completely diversified bunch of kids. Yet, the fear of germs in warm water, drugs, gangs, or street traffic, kept him as our lookout. Yet one friend, a little girl, was hit by a car when she ran into the street after her ball. He suffered greatly from not be able to save people and things. He was haunted by the fact that he could not save most of the wounded soldiers in the war. He said late in life, "...all I did was pick up body parts. Morphine powder and bandages were of no use." At the end of the war, all my great uncle received was a pat on the back, there was no psychological support back then.
One hot summer, a new song came out called, We Are Having A Heatwave by an America Motown group called Martha and the Vandellas, in 1963. I was only five years old when the song came out, but remember singing it with friends on the front stoop on hot afternoons many summers afterwards. We were kids and had no idea the song was about a relationship between a couple.
So by now I have digressed with somewhat related stories to this Going True Green blog post... What Constitutes a Heatwave? But have yet to speak about what makes up a Heatwave. So let us get to it...
According to many Electrical Utilities, a heatwave is declared after three (3) days in a row with the temperature at 88 degrees Fahrenheit or above. However, there is no single rule to determine when a heatwave is occurring. Factors such as the duration of hot weather, high temperatures, and humidity levels come into play, especially for the National Weather Service (NWS) for issuing Excessive Heat Warnings. These warnings may not be linked to a heatwave, because the warning could be for only 12 hours since the evening temperatures would drop significantly to cool down the weather. Keep in mind that humidity exacerbates how hot us humans feel, and comes into play when calculating a heat index. Additional factors are stagnant air, cloud cover, and wind speeds.
Therefore, when you hear some Meteorologists, public Health official, or Reporter, stating we are in a heatwave based on a definition stating at least two days of heat in a row to mandate the heatwave, many other definitions will say three days. Additionally, what may be conducive of a heatwave for the northeast, can easily be laughable by naturally hotter climates, such as in Phoenix, Arizona.
For the most part, many now consider temperatures reaching or exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit for three consecutive days as a heatwave. So take your pick, but use the SEARCH box above to find and read all my GTG blogs from over the decades teaching how to save money and energy with AC units, and other actions to feel cool and make a difference.
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!
So by now I have digressed with somewhat related stories to this Going True Green blog post... What Constitutes a Heatwave? But have yet to speak about what makes up a Heatwave. So let us get to it...
According to many Electrical Utilities, a heatwave is declared after three (3) days in a row with the temperature at 88 degrees Fahrenheit or above. However, there is no single rule to determine when a heatwave is occurring. Factors such as the duration of hot weather, high temperatures, and humidity levels come into play, especially for the National Weather Service (NWS) for issuing Excessive Heat Warnings. These warnings may not be linked to a heatwave, because the warning could be for only 12 hours since the evening temperatures would drop significantly to cool down the weather. Keep in mind that humidity exacerbates how hot us humans feel, and comes into play when calculating a heat index. Additional factors are stagnant air, cloud cover, and wind speeds.
Therefore, when you hear some Meteorologists, public Health official, or Reporter, stating we are in a heatwave based on a definition stating at least two days of heat in a row to mandate the heatwave, many other definitions will say three days. Additionally, what may be conducive of a heatwave for the northeast, can easily be laughable by naturally hotter climates, such as in Phoenix, Arizona.
For the most part, many now consider temperatures reaching or exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit for three consecutive days as a heatwave. So take your pick, but use the SEARCH box above to find and read all my GTG blogs from over the decades teaching how to save money and energy with AC units, and other actions to feel cool and make a difference.
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!
