Silent killer
The National Weather Service lists heat as the No. 1 weather-related killer in the United States.
There is strong evidence that around the world, heat is also the big weather killer. It蘑菇视频 called heat exhaustion or heat stroke and until 20 years ago we did not have good statistics that related heat as the real killer.
Much of the heat problems occur when we experience what weather people call a heat dome. These heat domes occur when fair weather high pressure systems get stuck over an area and allow the heat to build up instead of moving on just like what happened to a large portion of the eastern United States this past week, including Southwestern Pennsylvania.
At first the high pressure system brings a few nice pleasant sunny days when the air originates in Canada and moves southward across our area. Then it stalls and each day continues sunny but it gets hotter and the humidity increases as the air now comes from the south and a lid, or dome, locks the air in place.
This increase in humidity, or dew point as it蘑菇视频 called, produces those 鈥淔eel Like鈥� temperatures which combine the air temperature and the dew point. You can always tell when dew point is visiting as it feels sticky when you step outside. It蘑菇视频 uncomfortable for most folks and particularly hard on those who must work outside.
Probably the worst heat dome in the United States took place in 1936 when over 5,000 people died. This was the 鈥淒ust Bowl鈥� era and many heat records still stand in the books, including nine from 1936 in Uniontown.
The record for Pittsburgh heat occurred on July 16th, 1936 when 103 degrees was recorded. The state record of 111 degrees in Phoenixville, Chester County, happened on July 10, 1936. Uniontown saw 102 on July 7, 1936.
More recently, many may remember the heat dome of 1988 when Uniontown saw 40 days of temperatures above 90 degrees and the old record of 102 was tied on July 2nd, the day our granddaughter Ashli was born.
Over the years the average number of 90-plus days in our area was 12, however in recent years we have been averaging way above that figure probably due to the changing climate.
Last year we had 29 days of 90 or better. This past week saw 90-plus weather on most days.
Even on those hot afternoons I find that mornings can be quite comfortable. Overnight temperatures usually cool into the upper 60s or low 70s.
Recently I went to Ohiopyle and was on the bike trail by 7 a.m. While having a light breakfast in Confluence I met a lady and her daughter from San Diego, California. They had flown to Pittsburgh, rented bikes and rode 81 miles on their first day of their journey to Washington. They planned to be in Cumberland later in the day.
Back in Ohiopyle, I struck up a conversation with two young lads who had biked across the country to raise awareness for brain injuries. One of them had recovered from a such serious brain injury.
Over the years I have met people on the bike trail from just about every state. When asked, 鈥淲hy our bike trial?鈥� I frequently get the answer of our natural beauty.
The native Mountain laurel were just recently finishing their bloom and the white flowers of our native Rhododendron were climbing the hillsides along the trail, a truly magnificent sight.
Looks like summer weather will continue this week but with temperatures more normal in the 80s and a bit of rain. Our heat dome should dissipate and finally move on.