You might be noticing something extra nasty this time. It’s not just the heat; it’s the humidity—that invisible, wet blanket that makes you feel like you’re breathing through a straw made of soup.
Tracking warming and record temperatures - KYMA
A crazy fact: your body cools itself by sweating, which evaporates. But when humidity is above 60%, sweat just sits on your skin like a little, salty pool of regret. You’re not even sweating; you’re marinating. Congratulations, you are human jerky.
This combo is called the “wet-bulb temperature.” If it gets high enough (around 95°F with high humidity), your body literally cannot cool down. You can’t fan yourself out of it. It’s like trying to dry off while already underwater.
The "El Niño" Wildcard and Your Future
Oh, and we can’t forget our friend El Niño. That’s a climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean that basically turns the world’s thermostat up to eleven. When El Niño is active, heat waves get longer, stronger, and more likely to show up for uninvited visits.
Guess what? Last year had a strong El Niño. This year, it’s lingering like a house guest who doesn’t know when to leave. Blame the ocean. It’s holding a grudge.
The good news? El Niño usually fades. The bad news? It leaves behind a warmer planet, which means even “normal” summers are now the “new hot.” You’re not imagining it. Your grandfather’s “scorcher” is your “Tuesday.”
