As a full-blooded Norwegian, I can't handle heat or humidity.
One reason is that I have the complexion of a submarine commander. Also, I have sweat glands the size of a satellite dish. The third reason is that I'm a sissy.
Add up those traits and you might understand my discomfort when overheated.
Overheating has not been a problem this summer, however. Lutefisk-munchers and others who prefer wind-chill numbers over heat-index numbers have been rejoicing.
Through Sunday, Grand Forks' high temperature this year has been 90 degrees -- and that happened only one day. And, National Weather Service Meteorologist Brad Hopkins said Monday, the summer humidity has been low because the winds have been arriving from Canada, not from Kansas.
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On Monday morning, however, I feared the vacation from summer discomfort had expired. Looking out the living-room picture window, I couldn't see across the street because of the fog.
"Fog is basically just visible moisture," Hopkins said Monday. "The fog will burn off. But it will be humid all day."
It was. And, it likely will stick around for a few days, perfect timing for torturing football players practicing in full pads. Today and Wednesday, at the least, likely will be humid with temperatures above 90 degrees, Hopkins said.
"For the most part, the weather patterns are now conducive to extreme storms," Hopkins said. "We have the fuel -- the moisture and southerly winds -- for a storm."
We don't have the right to complain, however, as we were due for imperfect conditions. July's average high temperatures were right on the historical average and humid air was scarce. The first two weeks of August were below average for temperature and humidity.
So, some misery was inevitable. Unless the Red River Valley turns into a tropical rainforest for two weeks, however, we shouldn't whine.
Grand Forks has had only 0.17 of an inch of rain in August, about 1.5 inches less than normal. While this may distress people who enjoy growing grass, it further heartens those of us who don't enjoy mowing grass.
Another reason to cheer is that temperatures and precipitation are forecasted to be about normal this fall.
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"One to two months of dry weather does not make a drought," Hopkins said.
And, a few hot/humid days do not grant crabbing rights for a columnist who believes air conditioning, not the wheel or the Internet, was the greatest invention in history.
Reach Bakken at (701) 780-1125; (800) 477-6572, ext. 1125; or send e-mail to rbakken@gfherald.com .
