Heat "Dome"

Torey

Yesterday, June 27 2021, we set a new all time Canadian high temperature record for any date in any month. 46.6 C which is 115.9 F. It was in Lytton, BC, which has a community sign boasting about being Canada's hot spot; and they regularly have the highest daily temps in Canada. Despite being at the confluence of two of our largest rivers, it is very much like a desert. I'm sure there are higher records in places where there are no official government weather stations and I'm sure I have experienced temps in that range in the past but this is a new "official" record. It was 40.3 at my house, 104.5, which is pretty high for us.

This heat "dome" as they are calling it, is settled over much of western Canada as well as the Pacific Northwest States. It is supposed to break records again today and tomorrow before we get any relief. A CBS report I saw is calling it a once in a 1000 year event. Portland, OR, set a new record yesterday at 112 and I'm sure there were other records in the US that fell yesterday, too.

These are dangerously high temperatures. I know some of you may live with this kind of heat on a regular basis but for those of us who don't, it can be very overwhelming. Please, everyone be careful in this heat. If you must work outside, try to do it in the coolest part of the day. Stay in the shade whenever possible. Wear a hat. Check on your neighbours, especially the elderly. Watch out for the signs of people who might be experiencing heat exhaustion or worse heat stroke. Don't forget your pets and livestock. This link is for "Emergency First Aid for Heat Stroke", if you should come across someone who is suffering from heat stroke. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/tw3250spec

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke Prevention:

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate. We should be drinking 3-4 cups (8 oz. cups) of water (fluid) per hour. 2 cups every 20 minutes if we are working outside in the heat (construction workers, highway workers, firefighters, etc.). Don't forget to add in other liquids besides water to make sure you are keeping up your electrolytes. Avoid all caffeinated and alcoholic beverages.

TGN has a very good e-book in the library section on hydration, The Hydration Handbook. I encourage everyone to read it. https://tgn-pdf-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/Hydration+Handbook.pdf

There have been other discussions on the forum about Electrolytes and Cooling Summer Beverages. https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/843317/electrolytes and https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/846890/cooling-summer-beverages-family-friendly.

The Herbal Academy has an e-book on "Cooling Herbs for Hot Summer Days" at: https://theherbalacademy.com/download-cooling-herbs-hot-summer-days-ebook/

There is an excellent new TGN blog article on sunscreen and how to make your own as well as suggestions for after-sun care. https://thegrownetwork.com/make-herbal-sunscreen/

This is a link to the Herbal Academy blog article on a home-made sunburn spray. https://theherbalacademy.com/homemade-sunburn-spray/?awt_a=5cXw&awt_l=HVg7c&awt_m=3dZq66X0doG43Xw

Stay safe everyone.

LaurieLovesLearning

This is a very important topic and a good one to have on TGN.

So how are things going out your way? If they lifted most restrictions in your area, it will be much easier for people to find safe shelter from the heat.

How are you coping?

dipat2005

@torey @LaurieLovesLearning it was 111 degrees Sunday and 103 on Saturday. Hot heat usually starts in July. It was so HOT in Eugene, Oregon yesterday that they cancelled some of the Olympic Trials in track and field where in the afternoon it was 143 on the track. Thanks for the encouragement to drink. I cannot do air conditioning because of the mold in this apartment. I am allergic to mold and cleaning agents. I have asked for it to be gone but the management company won't do it. Unfortunately!!

Torey

@LaurieLovesLearning They lifted the province-wide travel restrictions but inter-provincial travel is still supposed to be banned at the moment. Despite that we are seeing license plates from across Canada and some of the US as well, although the border isn't supposed to be open until July 21 at the earliest. We will be moving into "Stage 3" of the reopening plans on July 1. That allows larger gatherings and the option to be mask free.

We are definitely seeing a lot more tourist-type traffic on the highway. All of the campsites (provincial and private) are fully booked. Even remote, little-used Forest Service Recreation Sites are filled with campers. So everyone is trying to beat the heat. I can't imagine trading my relatively cool house for a hot tent or camper, even if there is a lake nearby to jump into. My house gets hot (but not unbearable) in the evening but it is cooler in the morning and early afternoon.

I stay in front of the fan most of the time unless I am outside spraying myself while moving the hose between fruit trees. Lots and lots of water. I have another batch of fruit shrub sitting on the counter, ready to bottle. Made lemonade yesterday. And raspberry ice cream. Hibiscus and lemon balm tea for iced tea is on the agenda for today. And I might make some 5 mushroom fudgesicles this afternoon, just because I am such a chocoholic.

I should have mentioned this in the original post. Heat makes us all cranky and irritable, me included. Be kind when someone snaps. Try some of the more calming herbal tea blends that are suggested for heat. Chamomile popsicles for children.

Lisa K

To all living in this heat, stay safe!

I am very grateful that w live near the beach and we may get in the high 70's (at least for now).

RustBeltCowgirl

In my book, heat domes = misery. Plus the humidity jumps due to feeding of the moisture from Lake Erie.

Torey

Another record breaking day today! 47.9C = 118F. Same place, Lytton, BC. It was 42C (107.6F) at my house. About 60 records across the province broken today.

Karon

Make sure to check on friends and family that they don't close windows thinking it's better than the outside heat with the windows open....there have been instances reported in past years news where people closed windows and turned on fans which basically acted as a convection oven. Hydration, Hydration, hydration is your friend....and cool showers.

I assume people who have cut down trees that shaded their houses are hating that decision....it happens all the time in the DC area. The first thing developers do is cut down all the beautiful old trees and then plant saplings way too close to the house so down the road future owners have to deal with root problems so cut them down too.

Sheila

Depends on the house. If we leave the house open all night it drops the temperature significantly in the house. It also cools down the hardwood and tile floors. We close it up around 10am and it stays relatively cool until the evening when the winds finally start again and we open it up. We have good insulation and are fortunate to have trees that shade during the morning and late evening. If we leave the house open during the day the temperature skyrockets to unbearable by lunch and struggles to cool down in the evening as it is battling excessive temperatures.

But again - it depends on the house and the situation - every place is different.

LaurieLovesLearning

We don't have insulation in our walls. If we could afford to put it in in the first place, it would both save us a lot of money & keep us cooler in summer & warmer in winter. It is a cruel catch 22. At midday on in summer, it heats up quickly and it keeps that heat somehow for a very long time.

We keep south facing windows either covered with foil (shiny side out), blinds or an awning. All windows that are north or east (there is only one of those) facing stay open. The one to the south under the awning stays open. The basement ones are open with a large fan in a south window pulling some air out.

Windows are opened through the night.

We have many small fans on the go...& we have no air conditioning.

The tree that I planted years ago is growing very large and proud, but still is not at the point that it will shade the house in any way. It will one day. As it's mature height & width should hit 40'. I kept that in mind when I planted it where I did.

We are just heading into a week of very high temperatures as of today onward. Not as high as @torey & others further west, but still very hot. No rain is in our forecast, but with heat like this, severe storms are possible.

There will be lots of checking on animals' water. Heat stress is not fun for any of them and for birds, can be a trigger for hidden viral/bacterial infections. Some of the birds are setting. I worry about them and their live eggs through this type of heat. The ducks have a bathing area, but their hut can get hot. I think we have 2 setting in there.

Hopefully everything gets through this okay.

To all of you suffering in the heat, stay aware & be careful.

LaurieLovesLearning

@torey @dipat2005 Have you ladies made any cookies in the windshield or in any other hot spot?

jowitt.europe

@torey @LaurieLovesLearning @dipat2005 I heard on our news that you are having extreme heat and was thinking about you. How do you cope with it. It seems not easy. Even with 30C here we are somehow suffering, but we can always go up the mountains where it is always cooler and occasional showers take care of the garden plants. But if the heat lasts... Oh, stay safe, take care.

LaurieLovesLearning

@jowitt.europe Our temperatures are high this week, but still not like on the coast right now.

We do as I said above, get our chores done early and relax (or sweat) in front of a fan all afternoon. I hate heat personally and burn easily even in lower temperatures.

I remind the kids to drink lots of water & we check the animals at least once on the afternoon, checking their water. Homemade pudding popsicles are popular for our kids.

If we are outside, a hat and shade are wise, along with drinking lots of water, and we are careful not to get to the point of heatsickness & more. A breeze is always welcome.

The heat doesn't bother my husband, who works outside in the heat. On these days, he drinks lots of water.

Torey

I sincerely hope this is the last day I post a new all time Canadian record. Again in Lytton, BC. 49.4C. 121F. 42.8 at my house. I should have mentioned that I live about 3 hours north of these records.

Coping. Lots of water. Cooling beverages. Like Laurie, in front of the fan, sometimes with feet in a tub of cold water.

@jowitt.europe Usually we are able to get into the mountains to be cooler but in this instance, even high up, the temperatures are way above normal. It is causing snow melt and several of the rivers in BC are on flood water. Some evacuations have taken place.

Tomorrow is supposed to be a few degrees cooler and down to 29C by Friday (84F). The best part is that the overnight lows will be back down to seasonal temps and we will be able to sleep easier. The heat dome will be shifting eastward. I hope it loses intensity by the time it gets to you, @LaurieLovesLearning.

I made croutons outside this afternoon for our Caesar salad. Took about an hour to get them nice and toasty.

LaurieLovesLearning

@torey This is what they are saying, then it starts gradually cooling off. So, unless something changes...

I was thinking of the snow melt & flooding there & how all weather tends to move toward the east. My first thought was that moisture, combined with prairie air & the heat, could potentially give us some really intense storms...or not! 😏

I noticed that our humidity has gone up a lot in the past day. It could get interesting.

marjstratton

My friends from Seattle and environs are suffering from record highs in the triple digits.

jowitt.europe

@LaurieLovesLearning at least some fresh temperatures during the night. @torey the melting of glaciers cause a lot of worry among scientists and researchers here in the Alps. And among many nature conscious people as well.

tilathehunn

Ty for this i was wondering how Canada was faring. What's wierd is how comfortable it has been in SoCal. This time of year it is usually hot and humid. Thunderstorms in local mtns. Usually temps in 80s, sometimes flirt w/90's. Kind of funny...we had a short run of 80's last weekend and News called it a "heat wave". It was 68 and overcast yesterday when i left work @ 430p. I am sorry you all are experiencing this "heat dome" phenomenon.

Torey

Lytton is getting a reprieve today with a forecast high of only 42C. But will probably still earn its bragging rights of Canada's Hot Spot.

It was so hot for sleeping last night. Really unbearable but I am hoping for better tonight.

We have thunderstorms in the forecast due to the shift in weather. Hopefully they will bring rain and not just be dry lightning. We don't need any fires at this point.

VermontCathy

We have almost too many trees in the yard, shading it enough that the garden has to be carefully planned in a few sunnier spots. There is nowhere in the yard that truly gets "full sun".

But having all that shade is a good thing for people, even if not for most food plants.

All of North America seems to be affected by this heat wave. Vermont has been in the upper 80s Fahrenheit, which is not unheard of but does not normally last for days to weeks without a break. We have been running the air conditioners more than normal.

One option people should consider is a "kiddie pool", even if you don't have kids. Being able to lie down in the water outside feels much better than standing around sweating.

jowitt.europe

@VermontCathy a pool is a good idea. I bought one for my grandchildren only 70 cm deep, but, when it is very hot, I get into it and it really helps.

Shades and sun. It is always a dilemma. During different seasons one has different needs. Now I do appreciate shades, but in spring I always look at our thujas with a thought which ones I should cut this spring.

jowitt.europe

@torey according to our news you did have a new record. Unfortunately.

dipat2005

@jowitt.europe I couldn't believe that it go so HOT but north of me Salem, Oregon go to 121 degrees Fahrenheit. I have 2 brothers in Salem. I didn't think about putting my feet in cold water; I did freeze wet kitchen towels to put on my body mostly around my neck and over my head. It was very HOT. I did drink a lot of COLD water. Even my seedlings survived.

jowitt.europe

@dipat2005 I just hope that this crazy heat does not stay too long. It is really dangerous.

dipat2005

@jowitt.europe we have been having some milder temperatures in the 70's and 80's. It may get up to 90 this weekend but we have a marine layer for the last 3 or 4 days in the morning which has kept the sun away until afternoon. I for one have certainly appreciated that. In Oregon the humidity gets high in some places and especially in the Willamette Valley.

LaurieLovesLearning

I can't seems to easily find the other discussion about the hot weather and even though the heat done event is officially over (I think), I know that many places are still struggling with extreme dry conditions.

The chickens have next to stopped laying. The guineas are still laying, for now.

I was walking in the sunny areas of our little pasture today and the grass is crunchy. It shouldn't be crunchy for another month. The grasshoppers are well into their mature phase, but don't seem to be a plague here as of yet. The pincherries, saskatoons, and any other berries that I could find are tiny and certainly suffering. Most are not worth picking this year. The poplars have sent out very many tiny babies from their root systems, indicating that they are under a lot of stress. I am pleased to see that we still have chickweed flourishing in the shade.

The grass fir hay headed out really early and some crops are heading out early as well and are very short. The barley in many fields has turned white...ruined by baking in the sun.

Our melon plants are wilting badly, the carrots fried, the spinach is threatening to bolt, but the corn is loving it all. The potatoes are blooming like there is no tomorrow.

We will be picking peas shortly and watering all of the garden every couple of days as we ride out this latest heat wave.

Torey

We had another mini heat wave (in comparison with the heat dome) but the temps have dropped. Only 23C at the moment. What a relief! Especially for sleeping at night. The promised rain hasn't materialized yet. But they are still saying we are going to get rain at some point today.

My garden is so hit and miss. Kale and cabbage doing well but broccoli and cauliflower are a complete failure. Herbs are flowering way too early and I am not able to keep up with harvest. Watering is constant because we are only able to use one hose (too much of a drain on the well to have two running), so the hose gets moved between fruit trees, the garden, the greenhouse and my potted plants & border beds. The grass is very crunchy where it is not getting spin off from the garden sprinkler and the fruit trees. My cherry trees are doing the same thing as your poplars. They are the type that will set runners but I have never seen so many at one time as there are this year. So lots of cherry babies to share with the neighbourhood. A bit too hot and dry right now but will dig them up once the weather changes.

jowitt.europe

On the other side in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands are enormous floods with houses being washed away, people missing, many died.

MaryRowe

@jowitt.europe I was just reading about the terrible flooding. I hope it is no where near you, and that you and yours are safe and well. From the news article it seemed as though the flooding was mostly in the area of the mid- and lower Rhine, but then my grasp of the geography isn't very good. But those poor people!

jowitt.europe

@MaryRowe thanks God we are not effected and our daughter lives a bit further north. But one never knows what comes next. The rivers have to get their space to flood. They have to be set free from those concrete beds and allowes to spread when rain or melting snow increase amounts of water.

VermontCathy

It's nice and cool here today, but raining all day. We probably won't get to do much outside. But at least it has cooled down. A couple of days ago I was out climbing a mountain with temperatures in the high 80s F, and I was sweating way too much.