The news today out of Great Britain is the country is suffering through a record-breaking heatwave. Temperatures there breached 100 degrees (Fahrenheit, natch), a phenomenon supremely unusual for the island nation that far up the latitude chart. People from hotter climes must be confused at the news: “What’s so especially devastating about 100 degree weather?” And to think that England conquered the world whilst dressed in multiple layers of wool.
The answer is of course obvious: Britain is simply not built for temperatures that hot. The country is famous for its perennial rain, cold, and cloudy grayness. Houses and infrastructure aren’t designed to keep the populace comfortable under those heat conditions - there was never a need. Same situation exists in San Francisco, also famous for its temperate climes year round. When it does get super hot for that one week in October, we suffer just like the Brits are suffering right now.
When it gets that hot in a region where air-conditioning is not really a thing, the only effective way to combat it is one, stay indoors and keep hydrated. Then two, do absolutely nothing else. Productivity is going to and will have to decline massively during that period.
I have to say I was pretty smug this morning, after hearing about the heatwave in England. I walked to work in a balmy high 50s (again, Fahrenheit) weather. Complete cloud cover, no direct sun in sight. How have the climate change gods managed to avoid wrecking their havoc on San Francisco? Last summer was rather mild, and thus far this one has been too. I see reports of massive heatwaves elsewhere and I can only sheepishly chuckle, “Well, it’s still nice and cool over here!”
Granted, there is the great drought our region is continuously going through. What use is cool weather if there isn’t any water?
Will you though?