Heatwave 8)

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The marine air is moving in. Probably cooler in coastal BC tomorrow.

One thing that any old southerner will know but I don't know about people in the Pacific Northwest -- if you want to stay cooler, eat watermelons.

What?

Like is this just a matter of staying hydrated? Or distracting yourself from the heat by eating?

Watermelons are good for the heat. They keep you hydrated.

The guy was trying to give you some old Southern wisdom.

Portland is only 21 Celsius now.

Glass of water does just as good or better then if it's about hydration. I was asking if there's something special about watermelons' biochemical makeup that has some sort of cooling properties or something I'd never heard of.

Watermelon also includes some electrolytes, doesn't it? If you drink too much liquids without electrolytes, you can end up in a serious condition known as water intoxication that can lead to a heart attack and death.

Google says yes: "Watermelon is around 90% water and also provides electrolytes, such as potassium. This makes it a healthful choice of snack during the hot summer months."

Buuuut we all get plenty of salt in modern diets. Pretty unlikely that drinking water is going to result in electrolyte deficiency in Most ppl.

But yeah, people do need to replace salts.. When my brother did a 600km charity bike ride with zero training (lol) his legs cramped and seized so he spent a few mins in the support truck. They fed him water, a couple packets of salt, and a banana for the potassium.. legs unseized and he was back on the road and finished it.

It depends a lot on how much water you drink. Anyone who drinks too much water without getting the electrolytes is susceptible.
Especially if you are sweating a lot.

Years ago, I used to ride bicycle between 3,000 and 5,000 miles a year. Sometimes I took water with me and sometimes Gatorade. One Friday night with water, I was cooling down near home after a hard ride when I suddenly felt very weak. My heart rate went way down from normal. It turned out that I had lost too much electrolytes and that could have killed me. I'm lucky that I didn't have a heart attack on the spot.

Hypokalemia is not something you want to experience.

Lytton broke records back to back, 47.5C Monday.. now it’s burning.

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/mobile/fire-force ... -1.5492913

It was supposed to be in the 90's today but instead it stayed in the low 70's. My house is finally cooled down. Some of our plants are real dry. We have patches of dry grass as well from the extreme temperature we had.

Apparently almost all of Lytton burned down in a wildfire yesterday. :/ And people fled to nearby towns, including Spences Bridge where my dad grew up - but even that wasn't safe and they had to leave and go farther - to Cranbrook and beyond. I don't think the other towns burned down; my guess is that the smoke/air quality forced people to flee farther.

I do wonder if they'll rebuild the village of Lytton.

As long as it's fire/smoke safe, I bet we'll take a motorcycle ride there before the end of the Summer to check out the fire damage and see what, if anything, is left. It's a very small village.. when my dad graduated from high school in Lytton, his graduating class was 12 students. (Whereas mine down here on the coast was several hundred as at the time my high school was a 2 year school - only grade 11 & 12 vs. they're all 4 year schools in the area now, so half as many grads.) I'm just guessing/assuming that my dad will want to go scope it out - especially since it's probably less than 100km off the major highway loop we've ridden before, so a quick jaunt over to check it out. But then again, his fond memories are of Spences Bridge - Lytton was merely where he graduated from high school by skipping class and hanging out at the local pool hall. Maybe he won't care to go see the fire ravaged area. I guess time will tell.. but me, personally, I do think it's kind of neat. I've driven through areas of BC and Washington state that have been levelled by fire before and it's really kind of neat to see scorched earth & forests as far as the eye can see.. a cleanse-by-fire sort of scenario, burned clean and fresh ready for a rebirth of vegetation and the eventual return of animals.

Think positive, those Vancouver palm tree are thriving in this heat.
Tips for heat.
Let cool air in at night( if it is cool),shut all windows and close the curtains in the morning.
Cornstarch powder the bedsheets and yourself liberally.
Wear loose fitting breathable clothing.
Frozen fruit like grapes are a nice healthy cooling treat.
Wipe down with cold witch hazel after being in the heat.I keep a bottle in the fridge for this.

Never would have thought to put cornstarch on sheets.. hmm.

And why witch hazel?

It cools you down quick and feels fresh.
Also great for big bites and heat rash.
I use Johnson and Johnson baby powder with cornstarch, lavender scented.Absorbs sweat so the sheets stay cool feeling.
If you want a tasty beverage and fruit combo, load a watermelon.Cut a hole in a chilled melon and pour in the liquor of choice.Replace the “ plug” and enjoy responsibly.It’s great for taking to areas that don’t allow glass like beaches or rivers.

90% of Lytton burned down. No word yet on whether they’ll rebuild or just be wiped off the map or what.

Terrible.I hope people and their animals got out safely.Property can be replaced, lives can’t.