Okay, this is Cincinnati, Ohio. Lots of hills but we are basically in a big valley that the wind only penetrates in the spring and fall – which is why, when we were totally industrial, we had smog – really bad smog. We also do not get as much sun as I wish we did. Years ago, the first time I was in Albuquerque, I saw a chart that said Albuquerque got sun 92% of the available hours. Cincinnati was way down the chart – I’m remembering 32% of those hours.
We also, once upon a time, had wicked winters and evil summers. Too cold, too snowy and then too hot, too humid. Not as wicked as my hometown of Springfield, Ohio, 80 miles north. But discouraging nonetheless.
Now, we often seem to be living in a whole other place – and quite a nice one, at that. Snow is very scarce, and there is a lot more sun in the wintertime! Several recent winters have been mostly in the 30s and 40s. This past winter got a bit colder a couple of times, but there was only one really challenging snow. And at only about 4 inches, we’d have thought nothing of that about 10 years ago.
We definitely have a lot more spring and fall that we used to – those seasons last much longer, are pleasanter, more moderate. When the rain falls, it often is much harder and comes down faster than previously. And we’ve even had, here in the Ohio River Valley, one really bad drought, that continued to kill trees for several years. We have always had dry Julys and Augusts. Now, except for the year of drought, we are not as dry as usual.
And, as we approach the Summer Solstice, we have a high of 73 today, low in the 50s, humidity in the 30s. Years ago, that would have been high 80s, low of 70, humidity in the 80s. The higher temperatures are no doubt coming this year, and the humidity. But we have not been over 100 in years – there always used to be spell of that high temperature every summer, usually late July or early August.
This moderation is wonderful, and welcome. We certainly wish it didn’t come at what looks like a perilous future price. But we are sure enjoying it as it lasts!