For the past couple of months, I've been in Maryland spending time with family. I also went to Mississippi, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. While in Maryland, I've been asked this question: "Is it really a dry heat?" That question is the inspiration for this article. I'm going to share my experiences with Maryland heat and Arizona heat.
Oh, if you don't want to read until the end: yes, it is a dry heat. You will be surprised at just how powerful the sun can be with essentially no help from humidity. The heat is serious out here.
For one thing, Maryland has something that Arizona does not: humidity. Although it has been storming recently out here in the AZ, I will admit there is more humidity out in MD. Where I'm from in Maryland, I'm surrounded by more water and precipitation. For example, it can be 70 degrees with about 55-percent humidity.
Due to this high humidity, it feels stuffier to me. I've been away from Maryland and in Arizona for eight years now, I am no longer used to all the water in the air. I can take the heat in terms of the sun by itself, the humidity makes it more uncomfortable. There is a stuffiness in the air that makes breathing a separate challenge.
In Arizona, though it has been storming lately, there's a lot less humidity. Where I'm from in the valley, it's a dessert. Little to no humidity. It can be 102 degrees with only 6- percent humidity. Yes, that much sun. This is the heat I am adjusted to. This is the reason I would never put a family reunion in Arizona.
To put this in perspective, I am in Arizona on a Friday night at 8 P.M. writing this article and I just checked the weather. It is 94 degrees with 35- percent humidity. 94 degrees at 8 P.M. people! This is not a joke. This is not normal! Resist!
Is the difference really that noticeable? Yes. When I got back from the East Coast, I noticed the difference between MD and AZ heat. In AZ, I noticed the stuffiness in the air was gone. However, that did not prevent my forehead from breaking a sweat or two.
I had a relative text me from Arizona while I was on the East Coast telling me that she would "never again say that it isn't hot in Arizona," indicating that "there was a dust storm warning last night. That means that it's hot and dusty." She told me the temperature and I said, "Wait until this afternoon."
Overall, this experience has taught me that not all heat is the same. Depending on where you are and what is or is not in the air can make summertime enjoyable or not-so-enjoyable. Just, make sure you protect yourself from the sun and have an umbrella in case it rains.
