Weather thread, Part III

[TIDE-HSV]

Did *I* need it? I'm from the South--I tap out at -20. But you know how little sense damn yankees have--plus, a LOT of people in State College take the bus, and most of the bus stops don't have anything to shield you from the wind.

Grindelwald, Switzerland, now has regular high-speed quad lifts, with a canopy which lowers down to protect you from the wind, but, when I first started skiing over there, they had antiquated wooden 4-man chairs, which zipped up the mountain sideways, with a canvas covering on the windward side to protect you. They sized you up for a heavy canvas overcoat at the bottom, issued it to you to don and then took it up at the top...

 

[92tide]

Then you have me, mowing the yard last week from 1-4PM. Embrace the suck, as I like to say. Makes me more heat tolerant.

i've had several long, 90+ deg afternoon rides this past few weeks and am loving it. i'm pretty happy that i still acclimate to the heat really well at 56.

 

[UAH]

But did you really need that warning? I've seen -40F, which I discovered from looking at the crawler on the bottom of the TV in the CO ski resort is the same as -40C. When I commented, one of my fellow housemates told me I could have seen -47F, if I'd gotten up a little earlier. We made a pact not to ski unless it reached -15. We had to wear ski masks to cross the road to go eat. I have two frost-damaged fingers and both big toes from that trip. I have a big toenail that grows sideways...

In Wisconsin in 1982 if my recollection is correct, the high in Oshkosh for two consecutive weekends was -28 f. That with up to 50+ MPH wind gust. Our front door knob was covered with frost on the inside. Minus 50-60 wind chill is pretty common across the upper midwest. The corner bars do a busling business.

 

[crimsonaudio]

i've had several long, 90+ deg afternoon rides this past few weeks and am loving it. i'm pretty happy that i still acclimate to the heat really well at 56.

That’s great work, kudos!

 

[DzynKingRTR]

Hiked Ravens Cliff today. Started early but goodness it was hot and muggy

 

[Its On A Slab]

With my nearly 86 year database, I know climate shift is real. Plant and animal successions prove it, if nothing else. That said, there's a lot of sensationalism going on in TV weather. HSV is right on the average for this date - 92F, with normal humidity. Yet all one hears on TV weather is "heat index," repeated over and over. Even the NWS gets in on the act. The fact of the matter is that there's not much else to report on, usually, in July and August in the South, except it's damned hot. So, they beat it to death...

My annual dread is coming again next month. The Iowa State Fair. My wife loves it, but when she asks me, I tell her, "I'd rather stay inside where there is AC".

Extreme heat, asphalt, humidity, and not a damn bit of shade. But, hey, what's this year's butter sculpture???? Where is the fried oreos?

 

[crimsonaudio]

Southern European heatwave fans multiple wildfires

Greece and Turkey are among the countries battling wildfires as temperatures spike in southern Europe.

www.bbc.com

 

[TIDE-HSV]

My annual dread is coming again next month. The Iowa State Fair. My wife loves it, but when she asks me, I tell her, "I'd rather stay inside where there is AC".

Extreme heat, asphalt, humidity, and not a damn bit of shade. But, hey, what's this year's butter sculpture???? Where is the fried oreos?

Could be worse, like Disneyworld...

 

[Its On A Slab]

Could be worse, like Disneyworld...

You are right. Walt Disney pulled of the biggest con in world history: Taking a horrid mosquito swamp in the middle of Florida and turning it into a multi-billion dollar tourist trap.

My last job - the home office was in Lake Mary. I would cringe every time I was slated to fly down there. Only to learn that getting in and out of Daytona's airport was far easier. No dealing with the tourists in a hurry to see Mickey.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

You are right. Walt Disney pulled of the biggest con in world history: Taking a horrid mosquito swamp in the middle of Florida and turning it into a multi-billion dollar tourist trap.

My last job - the home office was in Lake Mary. I would cringe every time I was slated to fly down there. Only to learn that getting in and out of Daytona's airport was far easier. No dealing with the tourists in a hurry to see Mickey.

My late SIL was from Coral Gables. The Orlando area was what we drove through - orange groves and one tower. I took my kids to DW the 2nd year it was open. There were three hotels, largely empty. What there was of the park was the same. I remember saying to my wife "This place will never make it"...

 

[Bazza]

With this nasty heat wave I thought I'd post a PSA. For a temporary "fix" if your central system breaks down.

You can always use a window unit.

Most HVAC companies this time of year are used to "scramble-mode" when someone's unit goes down, so that always helps.

But why not do something under YOUR control - something you can do to get by while you wait. I mean in some cases a whole new system may be in order and that could take days/weeks to have installed....yikes!

There are various suppliers - one being Home Depot. Units ranging from 5K BTU to 12K BTU only run $150.-$300. or so.

I actually have a 6K BTU unit that stays in one of my living room windows year round. And another just like it, still in it's box. And another larger size, in it's box - available to use if need be. I like keeping them on hand so I don't have to run to the store in "emergency-mode".

You can also spend more time researching and getting a better price if you buy them ahead of time and not in "emergency mode". And with potential possible price increases on electronics......would be smart to get them now.

Also, this time of year I keep my small window unit on and in in Eco-mode so it supplements my 10 year old Goodman/Trane central unit. Perhaps even extending it's life a bit.

Having spare start and run capacitors is also a good idea - separate discussion maybe.

 

[jthomas666]

Having spare start and run capacitors is also a good idea - separate discussion maybe.

Very true. The profit margin when bought from HVAC repair is insane.

 

[92tide]

it was quite hot for today's commute. thankfully, there was a steady breeze so the wind chill offset the heat index

 

[UAH]

With this nasty heat wave I thought I'd post a PSA. For a temporary "fix" if your central system breaks down.

You can always use a window unit.

Most HVAC companies this time of year are used to "scramble-mode" when someone's unit goes down, so that always helps.

But why not do something under YOUR control - something you can do to get by while you wait. I mean in some cases a whole new system may be in order and that could take days/weeks to have installed....yikes!

There are various suppliers - one being Home Depot. Units ranging from 5K BTU to 12K BTU only run $150.-$300. or so.

I actually have a 6K BTU unit that stays in one of my living room windows year round. And another just like it, still in it's box. And another larger size, in it's box - available to use if need be. I like keeping them on hand so I don't have to run to the store in "emergency-mode".

You can also spend more time researching and getting a better price if you buy them ahead of time and not in "emergency mode". And with potential possible price increases on electronics......would be smart to get them now.

Also, this time of year I keep my small window unit on and in in Eco-mode so it supplements my 10 year old Goodman/Trane central unit. Perhaps even extending it's life a bit.

Having spare start and run capacitors is also a good idea - separate discussion maybe.

Excellent topic for discussion. Have you looked at the smart inverter drive units? I have some background with inverters and can appreciate the speed variability they can provide.

 

[Elefantman]

With this nasty heat wave I thought I'd post a PSA. For a temporary "fix" if your central system breaks down.

You can always use a window unit.

Most HVAC companies this time of year are used to "scramble-mode" when someone's unit goes down, so that always helps.

But why not do something under YOUR control - something you can do to get by while you wait. I mean in some cases a whole new system may be in order and that could take days/weeks to have installed....yikes!

There are various suppliers - one being Home Depot. Units ranging from 5K BTU to 12K BTU only run $150.-$300. or so.

I actually have a 6K BTU unit that stays in one of my living room windows year round. And another just like it, still in it's box. And another larger size, in it's box - available to use if need be. I like keeping them on hand so I don't have to run to the store in "emergency-mode".

You can also spend more time researching and getting a better price if you buy them ahead of time and not in "emergency mode". And with potential possible price increases on electronics......would be smart to get them now.

Also, this time of year I keep my small window unit on and in in Eco-mode so it supplements my 10 year old Goodman/Trane central unit. Perhaps even extending it's life a bit.

Having spare start and run capacitors is also a good idea - separate discussion maybe.

Also have a small generator on hand if the power goes out. A 1500 watt generator should run a 12k BTU a/c.

 

[Bazza]

Also have a small generator on hand if the power goes out. A 1500 watt generator should run a 12k BTU a/c.

Absolutely - especially when hurricane season rolls around (like right now!!!)

Not only do I have a dual fuel portable generator - with electric start. I have a second one - same exact brand/model, still in it's box.

Backups....and then backups for your backups. And contingencies......

And even with all that - you're still going to be up against Ma nature......

 

[Padreruf]

Absolutely - especially when hurricane season rolls around (like right now!!!)

Not only do I have a dual fuel portable generator - with electric start. I have a second one - same exact brand/model, still in it's box.

Backups....and then backups for your backups. And contingencies......

And even with all that - you're still going to be up against Ma nature......

We had a Generac natural gas powered generator put in a few years back...have only had to use it a few times, but it is really nice. I sleep better.

On that subject, we had some pretty strong thunderstorms come through this am...even woke me up.

 

[Bazza]

One more note on the subject of generators. If yours uses a fuel line, you may want to plan on replacing those at whatever schedule you find makes sense for your application. Because over time they will break down, decay, and start to leak.

I always use non-ethanol gas and tygon material for my fuel lines but I also keep some bulk fuel line on hand just in case. I keep it inside my climate controlled home. Generator stays outside under cover year round. The spare still in it's box is in my garage - which is climate controlled via window unit.

I'm probably a bit obsessive when it comes to some of this stuff....

 

[Huckleberry]

One more note on the subject of generators. If yours uses a fuel line, you may want to plan on replacing those at whatever schedule you find makes sense for your application. Because over time they will break down, decay, and start to leak.

I always use non-ethanol gas and tygon material for my fuel lines but I also keep some bulk fuel line on hand just in case. I keep it inside my climate controlled home. Generator stays outside under cover year round. The spare still in it's box is in my garage - which is climate controlled via window unit.

I'm probably a bit obsessive when it comes to some of this stuff....

You'll be the envy of many neighbors when a hurricane visits.

 

[Bazza]

You'll be the envy of many neighbors when a hurricane visits.

Ha - I don't know about that. On all 4 sides, 3 have whole house generators. I still have just my portable.

It's OK - I feel pretty good about my set-up.....