Now that we’re firmly entrenched in this summer’s first real extended heat wave, we read and see a plethora of hot weather-related media stories and advice. Most of these stories focus on the big cities and high population areas – Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Columbus, etc. It’s hot here in the Tuscarawas Valley area as well, so I thought I would take a few minutes to fill you in on some LOCAL hot weather information.
The following is all factual weather information obtained from official records at the National Weather Service. It’s not hype – just the facts. You can use this to impress your colleagues/friends/relatives with your local weather prowess.
Let’s first get the easiest local weather fact out of the way – THE hottest temperature on record in our area occurred on July 17, 1988. It got to 102° that day and it remains the hottest it’s ever been here. Note that this is the air temperature and not a heat index or feels-like temperature.
We see and hear a lot of references to the Heat Index when temperatures turn hot. Many folks don’t really know what the term means other than it’s always higher than the air temperature. (Maybe that’s why the media like to push it during heat waves?)
According to the National Weather Service, the heat index, also known as the “feels-like” temperature, measures how hot the air actually feels to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the true air temperature. It quantifies the added discomfort high moisture brings by reducing the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating.
The highest heat index value in our area was recorded in New Philadelphia on July 7, 2012 at 109.94° – essentially, 110°.
July of 2012 was a very hot period across the Tuscarawas Valley. We experienced several days when the heat index ran above 105°. But it wasn’t our hottest summer. That record dates back to the summer of 2016, when the average summertime temperature was 76.4°. Last summer came in at number six. (Average temperatures take into account both daytime highs and nighttime low temperatures.)
INDEPENDENCE DAY
The Fourth of July is coming up on Saturday, and many local folks have plans for the celebration of our country’s 250th. So far, it’s looking to be hot but not quite as oppressive as it will be most of the rest of this week. The computer models mainly indicate daytime in the upper 80s to around 90°. This would translate to heat indices in the low to mid 90s ( anything under 100° is good news at this point).
There can be a few thunderstorms wandering about during the latter part of the day on Saturday, but as of today (Tuesday), the odds are running in the 20/30 percent category.
The hottest Independence Day in recent years in our area occurred in 2012 (of course) when the temperature peaked at 96°. Last year came in ninth hottest.
Thanks for reading and continuing to support our area’s only truly local source for local weather. Try to stay cool if you can during the next few days. This kind of heat and humidity for several consecutive days is tough on some people. Check in on the old folks now and then. – Joe
