Samuel Clemens — alias Mark Twain — once said that the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.
We could wish some of that weather would migrate east.
Historically, East Orlando and Central Florida’s average temperature is slightly warmer in August, but once you get past 90 degrees, who cares? All we know: It’s hot!
July’s average high is 91.5 degrees, and you and I both know it feels even hotter most days.
Our only saving grace is our afternoon showers, which are most frequent — historical averages again — in late June and early July.
On average, July offers the fewest number of clear days all year: three. We’ll probably see more than that this month, but that’s how averages work.
In Mexico, where it’s really hot, people have adapted. The characteristic “siesta” is a logical answer to the climate — take a break in the middle of the day, when temperatures are their hottest, and work later in the evening, when it’s cooler.
In many parts of Mexico, it’s not uncommon for a family dinner to start around 9 p.m. And with a mid-afternoon “siesta” to look forward to, many people start their day before dawn.
A hundred years ago, when many more Americans were engaged in agriculture, such a schedule was typical here as well.
If you have the luxury of scheduling your job and family obligations, a “siesta” lifestyle, especially in July, seems like a good idea.
Alas, most of us in East Orlando will have to rely on our air conditioners.