Posted on 06/16/2004 3:40:58 PM PDT by freedom44
El Paso, Texas, with average summer temperatures above 93 degrees Fahrenheit and relative humidity over 70 percent, is the sweatiest city in the United States, a study released on Tuesday found.
Research scientist Tim Long calculated heat indexes and relative humidity levels to come up with his top 100 sweatiest cities in America list.
By Long's calculations, in just four hours, El Paso's residents produce enough sweat to fill an Olympic swimming pool, with individuals shedding more than 36 fluid ounces of perspiration an hour.
"The driving force is heat, but humidity is a key factor," said Long. "It can feel like 118 in El Paso but it's only 94."
For the dubious honor, El Paso Mayor Joe Wardy will receive a year's supply of Red Zone antiperspirant from Old Spice, a brand owned by consumer products company Procter & Gamble Co. and the sponsor of the study.
The next four sweatiest U.S. cities are: Greenville, South Carolina; Phoenix, Arizona; Corpus Christi, Texas; and New Orleans, Louisiana.
Right now the temperature [70] and the humidity [50] are downright oppressive. On top of that it's threatening to rain but probably won't.
Any location in which Ol' Crusty may be found is, by default, the sweatiest city on the planet.
To be perfectly fair, you are likely to actually sweat more in AZ than in SC. The sweat just evaporates more rapidly and cools you more efficiently, so it is a lot less noticeable.
You can, however, die of dehydration due to excessive sweating a lot more easily in a desert climate.
I only sweat when I swim.
Deming is nice. After a week there, Lordsberg looks nice, not to say the paradise of El Paso.
"...You can, however, die of dehydration due to excessive sweating a lot more easily in a desert climate..."
I'm not sure I agree with that, having come close to collapse from dehydration in South Carolina a few times myself. In really hot, humid climates, sweating is ineffective at cooling the body, which makes the body sweat even more...it's a vicious cycle. I used to drink enormous quantities of water at work.
Beautiful Beaufort...
What is funny is if you mention Hobbs NM, my mom gets all upset and starts talking about how terrible and ugly that town is.
Of course we were never allowed to go there when we visited relatives growing up, but when I moved to New Mexico, I went over there.
It looked a lot like Carlsbad. I guess they are fierce High School rivals or something.
Houston should be in the top four, if not the top. It seems more humid than El Paso, although El Paso is hot.
Hmmm...
Yes, but when I get out there and cut the grass, the sweat flows.
But if you're looking for especially nasty weather, eliminate those areas which are more than 500 feet or so above sea level, and eliminate those areas which are close enough to the ocean to get at least an occasional sea breeze.
What you're left with is the inner coastal plain. Fayetteville, NC; Columbia, SC; Columbus, GA; and Montgomery, AL, just to name a few, must be in the running for the summer meteorological misery championship. And on into East Texas, until you get far enough west for the humidity to start dropping off.
It's amazing how air conditioning has altered our settlement patterns. Many Southern metropolises were insignificant in size before a/c came into widespread use (first commercially, later in homes).
Rural New Mexico and Rural Arizona are a lot alike. There are fierce rivalries where near riots follow HS football games, etc. It was a lot of fun though and noone can ever call you High class or upity. It is all up hill from there. :->
We are going to the Chile Festival in Hatch, NM, this August 30-31. Its north of Las Cruces, and we are flying into El Paso. I was actullay looking forward to seeing El Paso, until I saw this thread!
I did Guadalupe Peak last Thanksgiving and I was in El Paso in early December. It was cold and a little windy going up GP but warmer on top. EP had pleasant weather. I didn't think the city overall was that bad, just quite sleepy. I camped one night at Hueco Tanks State Park about 20 miles out of town and it was between 35 and 40 until the wind picked up and it got below freezing.
El Paso's a fine place. I've lived here my entire life. Has good Dubya support. He even appointed a former mayor to his cabinet. Pay no attention to the superfical snobs on this thread.
Oh man, you hit the nail on the head with that post. Baseball and football are like religions in those towns.
HATCH! Oh boy, bring plenty of napkins to wipe off the sweat from those Chiles.
Nothing quite like green chile stew ...
I think I must be deranged, because I actually kinda like El Paso and would consider living there. I doubt you would catch me living anywhere within driving distance of Houston, but I'm more of a desert rat anyway and can't stand humidity.
I've only driven through El Paso, so I can't back up the article. However, I nominate Columbus, GA, for honorable mention at least. Talk about sweat!
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