Poll: How hot is too hot?

[Anti Marine Layer]

What is the minimum "feels like" temperature, (that is apparent temperature, factoring in humidity), that is unpleasantly warm or "too hot" for you? I saw something that in northern states like Minnesota, it is about 85 F, while in states with warm/hot climates like Arizona it is about 100 F. However, I have heard a lot of people who would prefer a San Francisco like climate where high temperatures average mid 60s to low 70s downtown in the summer or even upper 50s to low 60s closer to the beach. Some people just cannot tolerate sunshine or warm weather.

 

I've also heard that recommended temperature for a good night's sleep is between 62 F and 70 F, but to me that is just way too cold. Also I see people riding a bike or walking in t-shirt and shorts on a 45 degree morning, while I am a wimp who would have to put on a heavy jacket. There's also this lady that I know who is too hot any time the temperature is more than 65 F. She sleeps with fully open windows and no heat in the mild, but definitely not tropical California winter where overnight lows can get into the mid-30s or low 40s at times.

 

I understand that everyone is different, and that women in general prefer warmer temperatures than men, but I still don't understand how there can be so much variety in what people consider comfortable, even in a mild climate like Southern California.

[Phil]

I answered 93F-96F, but for me it depends on the time of year and the dewpoint. It takes time for me to adjust to the summer heat once it starts, so what feels nasty to me in June usually feels more normal in July and August. In June I might find a 95F heat index gross and intolerable, but by late July/early August I can tolerate 100-105F just fine. All bets are off once heat indices go 110F+, though. That's stuff is deadly.

 

Humidity matters more than anything at any time of year, though, at least in my case. I've experienced dry heat at 115 degrees in Yuma AZ a few times, and I felt more "comfortable" in that versus the swampy, disgusting 95 degree heat we experience here in DC. Especially after sunset, I could feel a huge difference in AZ. The dry nights brought almost immediate relief. That rarely happens here. If anything, the mid/late evenings will feel worse than the mid/late afternoons as dewpoints spike once the boundary layer decouples.

[Guest happ]

Phil makes the point that humidity is often the primary factor for comfort; this is particularly true at night. Some of the worst summer weather in LA can occur when a thick marine layer hugs the coast all day. The humidity generated by the ocean clouds makes it miserable inland even though the temperature may only be in the 80's; hazy/ smoggy and muggy conditions.

[Black Hole]

I think 90F is when it gets too hot for me, unfortunately that means its too hot for about 2 months of the year here. 

[Scott]

It depends on what I'm doing.    If I'm climbing on a glacier or snow in full sunlight, than even 30F can feel extremely hot.

 

If I'm just sitting around, then 80's isn't that bad.

[IbrChris]

Completely depends on dewpoint. I find 80/65 more uncomfortable than 95/45.

Hands down the summers are more pleasant in SE Idaho where dewpoints rarely get above about 55 (normally 35-45) versus Portland where dewpoints in the 60s are fairly common in summer (though not a daily occurrence) even though mean JJA highs are higher in ID than Portland. Low temps rarely remain above 55 in SE ID (45-50 normally) while Portland they average in the upper 50s in July/Aug.

[Front Ranger]

I don't find humidity oppressive until it's 85+. But even a dry heat of 95 is too much for me.

 

75-80 and humid or 85 and dry is ideal summer weather to me.

[Phil]

I don't find humidity oppressive until it's 85+. But even a dry heat of 95 is too much for me.

 

75-80 and humid or 85 and dry is ideal summer weather to me.

What's your definition of humid? I think even low/mid 80s are gross when dewpoints are in the mid 70s. Instead sweatage.

[Thunder98]

What's your definition of humid? I think even low/mid 80s are gross when dewpoints are in the mid 70s. Instead sweatage.

 

Interestingly, when I visited Yuma, AZ in July 22nd-July 25th The Dew points would get in the 70's in the morning and it was very windy as well because of the Gulf surge.

 

 

July 23nd

https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KNYL/2016/7/23/DailyHistory.html

 

July 24th

https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KNYL/2016/7/24/DailyHistory.html

 

July 25th

https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KNYL/2016/7/25/DailyHistory.html

[Front Ranger]

What's your definition of humid? I think even low/mid 80s are gross when dewpoints are in the mid 70s. Instead sweatage.

 

My definition would be DPs in the low 60s or higher. The only times I've experienced DP in the mid 70s, the temp was in the 90s.

[IbrChris]

Interestingly, when I visited Yuma, AZ in July 22nd-July 25th The Dew points would get in the 70's in the morning and it was very windy as well because of the Gulf surge.

 

 

July 23nd

https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KNYL/2016/7/23/DailyHistory.html

 

July 24th

https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KNYL/2016/7/24/DailyHistory.html

 

July 25th

https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KNYL/2016/7/25/DailyHistory.html

Common during July-early Sept. My in-laws in Chandler get a similar dewpoint spike during the morning hours.

[IbrChris]

80/50 is probably my summer ideal temp/dewpoint. 75/55 and 85/45 are ok too. The points where it becomes uncomfortable are a heat index above about 90. Most 90 degree days in Portland have heat indices <90.

[Guest happ]

Common during July-early Sept. My in-laws in Chandler get a similar dewpoint spike during the morning hours.

 

Some of the worst conditions of the day can occur during the morning hours in the low desert when dew points are well above 70 while temps rapidly climb into the 90's. It gets hotter as the day progresses but thankfully dew points lower in the afternoon heat. I have family in the Coachella valley that swear every summer that they will never spend another year living in the desert. But the cost of living [besides horrendous cooling bills] is so much lower than the California coast.

[Phil]

Interestingly, when I visited Yuma, AZ in July 22nd-July 25th The Dew points would get in the 70's in the morning and it was very windy as well because of the Gulf surge.

 

 

July 23nd

https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KNYL/2016/7/23/DailyHistory.html

 

July 24th

https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KNYL/2016/7/24/DailyHistory.html

 

July 25th

https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KNYL/2016/7/25/DailyHistory.html

Gross.

 

Yeah there's quite a diurnal cycle in dewpoints there during monsoon season. Still, those dews (usually) drop down into 50s during peak heating, so it's not quite Bangkok-caliber nastiness.

[dairyd]

Some of the worst conditions of the day can occur during the morning hours in the low desert when dew points are well above 70 while temps rapidly climb into the 90's. It gets hotter as the day progresses but thankfully dew points lower in the afternoon heat. I have family in the Coachella valley that swear every summer that they will never spend another year living in the desert. But the cost of living [besides horrendous cooling bills] is so much lower than the California coast.

Yes, that is how Florida is from May-Mid Oct.  Morning dewpoints in mid 70's with dew running off of everything.  Except dew point doesn't change much there as the t-storms roll in once it hits the low 90's at about 330pm to recharge the air with water and the cycle starts all over again. 

 

My tolerance in a humid environ is 60 dew point as long as there is some air movement.  

 

In a desert environ I could go up to 100 or so if the dp's were low enough.  When I lived in the Tulare valley the dp's occaisionally bumped up to the mid 50's in the summer so 90-105 was already quite sticky at that point. 

 

Up here it is rare on the wet side to get hot.  Sure we get the low to mid 90's but to get there the dp's have to dip below 50 with a bit of a dry Fraser outflow.  The onshore flow just won't allow the super heat.  Now in EWA, that's a different story.  I've been in some humid barn burners in the tri cities and Walla Walla. 

[Guest happ]

Yes, that is how Florida is from May-Mid Oct.  Morning dewpoints in mid 70's with dew running off of everything.  Except dew point doesn't change much there as the t-storms roll in once it hits the low 90's at about 330pm to recharge the air with water and the cycle starts all over again. 

 

My tolerance in a humid environ is 60 dew point as long as there is some air movement.  

 

In a desert environ I could go up to 100 or so if the dp's were low enough.  When I lived in the Tulare valley the dp's occaisionally bumped up to the mid 50's in the summer so 90-105 was already quite sticky at that point. 

 

Up here it is rare on the wet side to get hot.  Sure we get the low to mid 90's but to get there the dp's have to dip below 50 with a bit of a dry Fraser outflow.  The onshore flow just won't allow the super heat.  Now in EWA, that's a different story.  I've been in some humid barn burners in the tri cities and Walla Walla. 

 

I was born in Fresno [not too far from Tulare]. Sometimes the afternoon heat felt comfortable due to lowering dew points and a stiff valley wind. The Sacramento delta gets that early afternoon wind that feels good even if it is 90F