Summer 2018 continues to look like it will be hotter than normal for most of the nation with much of the middle and western areas of the country seeing the hottest temperatures, especially in July. Better have those air conditioners ready! The Southeast, which includes our region of Kentucky, will experience the three Hs…hazy, hot, and humid conditions which may put a crimp in those traditional outdoor summer activities. Not until autumn will it be comfortable to truly enjoy activities outdoors in this area of the country.
May was one of the hotter Mays on record which was preceded by one of the coolest Aprils on record. But summer hasn’t even arrived yet. Summer officially begins Thursday, June 21, 2018, at 6:07 a.m. EDT. This is the date of the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in terms of daylight. Several things can affect our summertime temperatures. For instance, if the tropical Pacific does not warm or the drought in the southern Plains expands, then it could be an even hotter summer in the East. So far, we are holding our own as far as the drought in the west goes. So far, there doesn’t appear to have been much of an expansion to the east. Let’s hope it stays that way.
We have had plenty of rain to this point. From late spring into summer, flash flooding is most frequent in the U.S. This is due to a combination of factors, including a slower jet stream and more humid air. Tropical cyclones can also play a major influence as we saw with Alberto. The thunderstorms are expected to continue in the hot and muggy atmosphere as we enter the end of June. But, in my opinion, the big news will be the heat and humidity this summer, especially in July. Heat is a potentially deadly problem—nearly 400 Americans die from heat waves each year.
Most of them are elderly people who often don’t realize when they are overheating and in danger. Part of the problem lies in the fact that older people simply can’t handle the heat as well as younger ones, because they don’t sweat as effectively and have poorer circulation. Obesity, heart disease, dementia, diabetes and other chronic medical conditions can compound the risk. So can certain medications, especially diuretics or those prescribed for hypertension and Parkinson’s disease. To protect seniors, the standard advice is to get them into an air-conditioned building; have them dress lightly; and keep themselves hydrated. But this is easier said than done, since poorer circulation also makes many seniors feel too cold in air conditioned spaces and want to reach for a sweater, even when it’s hot out.
And some seniors prefer other kinds of drinks to water, even though they may be too sugary for their sedentary lifestyles or filled with caffeine, which is dehydrating. If elderly relatives complain of the cold indoors, turn up the air conditioning a bit. If they won’t stay inside, have them sit on a shady porch under a ceiling fan or near a box fan. Seniors are especially at risk in high heat situations. Large stretches of the USA are experiencing extreme temperatures at the moment. Care-givers need to check on the elderly. If you live in another city, call the police department, or someone you know, to check on your loved one.
So what can we do in our region to make sure our seniors are protected from the heat? I am honored to say that WKDZ and WHVO have partnered with PACS (Pennyrile Allied Community Services) to help make it easier for elderly to stay cool in the hot summer months. PACS serves the nine surrounding counties of Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Muhlenberg, Todd and Trigg. Together we can provide fans for those that are identified with needs throughout all these communities! I am personally asking all my friends who read this to support this worthy cause. How can you help? Donate either money or fans to be distributed in July.
If you’d like to donate some money please visit PACS at http://www.pacs-ky.org/ and scroll to the bottom of the page. Just let them know what you’d like your funds to go toward. To donate a fan, please visit one of our area drop off locations Cadiz Ace Hardware, Pennyroyal Hospice, Save More Drugs, LifeLinc Pain Centers, NorthTrust Insurance or stop by the WKDZ/WHVO studios at 19 DJ Everett Drive, Cadiz, KY. Please don’t let our elderly suffer from the summer heat. Donating a fan or money may actually make the difference between life or death. I am convinced that when you show love and kind acts to those who can’t care for themselves…you will find blessings flowing back to you.
