Summer in Phoenix is hot and everybody says that dry heat is much easier to tolerate than hot and humid. This year I have experienced both. First in Massachusetts there was an official heat wave, that means that the heat is over 90°F (32°C) for three or more consecutive days. Actually when I was there the week of 4th of July it even reached 100°F one day and the humidity was more than 70%, which is oppressive.
In Arizona the temperature is usually over 100°F in July and August, but much drier about 5-20%. The few days it drops below 100°F the humidity usually increase to about 30-40% and everybody complains about how humid it is. The difference is that here in Arizona nearly every house has central air conditioning and you can escape the heat when you want. People are used to the heat, and the cold air-conditioned air They might complain about it, but this is normal, just as it is normal to complain about winter in Massachusetts. The interesting thing is that in both situations people stay indoors, in Arizona over the summer moths and in Massachusetts during winter.
What I have learned is the following:
- Stay inside and close the blinds to keep the heat out.
- Only go out in the early morning or lat at night when the temperature is a bit lower.
- Travel north or to higher elevation for heat relief.
There must be more to learn, but this is what I have learned so far.
