I am aware that compared to some places around the world temperatures of 38 - 40 deg is not considered unusual. I’m in SW France and we also get a few days at this level every year.
This week, though, is going to be a long slog through the warmth. Back at the end of June we had 3 or 4 days of high thirty degree heat. This week it looks like every day except Wednesday. And please be happy to know that this forecast is optimistic - it is more like 40 deg by 5pm.
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No .no .no … that’s far too warm. I’m struggling here in the UK.
Anything near 30 degreees and I wilt.
I like to think I’m accustomed to such heat - but its still difficult to do much more than stay indoors. I felt the need to buy an additional fan today. Even though I’ve an old house with thick stone walls, and the shutters closed against the sun, it still warms up inside by the end of the afternoon. Air-con is an expensive solution so I’ve frozen a couple of bottles of water which will sit in front of the fan for the very hottest time. It really does work.
Still, the tomatoes and butternuts are looking good with evening watering and full on day time heat.
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I never realised you lived in France … so you’ve really struggled with heatwave temperatuires this summer, far more than in the UK.
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Just checked the temperature in the shade (it never gets the sun in this location)
It’s 5:45 pm so I don’t think it will get any higher today. This hot weather is forecast for the rest of the week, so it might get a lot warmer.
But I don’t think the record (on my thermometer) will be broken. This was the temperature in July 2022…
It’s hard to say if has ever been hotter here than this, I’ve only been taking readings for twenty years.
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I think 37° is considered hot anywhere, if it is coupled with high humidity it is unbearable. Fortunately Australia tends to have low humidity most of the time
I suppose I am used to heat but once the temperature gets much over about 33° I seek air conditioned comfort. I think it is more likely to reach over 40° only very rarely though even Wollongong has had such temperatures in the past.
If you look at land temperatures near the equator they tend to stick about 33° all year round, the only difference is whether it is the wet or dry season. it is only when you get away from the coast that you get higher temperatures.
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I would not describe life here in the summer as a struggle, even when its hot. The worst impact of 40 deg temperatures is that a few villages decided to close their evening market and some restaurants stopped serving outside. Even tables in shade it might be ok for diners but its too hard for those serving. And a lot of my gardening and maintenance tasks are postponed for a bit - but that is not a hardship.
As I write this I can see the 5 tons of fire wood I had delivered over the weekend. That won’t get stacked for a while.
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Eatings is a serious business and not to be done ‘al Fresco’ Too many flies and bitey things…
Perhaps a sandwich during a long walk…
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Eating is a serious business and always done at a table. Standing or sprawling on a rug is not the right place for eating.
But outdoors in the warmth, under the shade of an awning or tree, with a chilled rose wine, is perfect. Our local restaurant has tables out under some tall lime trees - 4 courses for 16 euros. Happiness. Next week.
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Now that’s one thing we both agree on…
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Same over here!
Italy, no? I’d a quick look at the Europe weather and Italy is much warmer up north than the south. Only 30 deg in Palermo. I dream of 30 deg.
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Depends on the areas we live in. Coastal? Inland? Hills? . It reached 40c yesterday here, 360m above sea level, we are about one and a half hours drive away from Naples and coastline.
This temperature was actually influenced by the bush fires around us, but we’ve reached this level before without fires. In town it’s always two or three degrees more.
Oh, just realised!
It’s 40C now and it’s cloudy!
Probably because of other fires which have just been extinguished.
Our inland areas are amongst the hottest in the Summer, although it’s quite normal when sometimes it’s hotter up North.
If this hot weather keeps up I may have to turn my electric blanket down a bit.
It’s hot enough for me already … as hot air is supposed to rise I’m crawling around on my tummy where it’s cooler.
Yes, we are on high alert for forest fires. Usually the fires are in the pine forests to the south and west of where I am. But everywhere is bone dry from weeks without significant rain. Even the oak forests near us will be at risk.
Right, I’ve promised flat breads for a curry night round at friends this evening. I’m working up the energy and will to stand over a hot pan for 30 minutes. I did think about using the plancha outside as it is great for flat breads … but it’s nearly 40 deg out there. Wish me luck.
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We’ve only had 3 days over 100° (38). We’ve got rain in July and August. That normally doesn’t happen unless there’s a Hurricane hitting the Texas coast.
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Hope your get-to-together went well @Lincolnshire, like us, you’re probably used to these sweltering temperatures by now.
I tried opening the windows first thing this morning to let some cooler air in, and what do I get? Once again, the smell of smoke!