One of the reasons we were attracted to New Hampshire was because of the green, lush climate. But even so, I've been surprised at how often my Davis wireless weather station registers humidity readings in the high 90s ... frequently at 99%, or like this morning when I took this photo, at 98%. And it wasn't raining, either! After a decade in the arid Rocky Mountains, this is a very nice change. The humidity, combined with all the vegetation -- especially all the ferns around the property -- actually remind us of our original home in Seattle.
Just to be clear, it wasn't 5:48 a.m. when I took that photo -- we had a power outage yesterday and I haven't reset the time on the weather station. It was a more reasonable 7:48 a.m. Nor have I re-connected the weather station to the Web yet (technical reasons), so the Weatherlink site will continue to show you the reading for May 16th in Ovando.
In any case, we are enjoying this wet climate!
Well I guess I'd rather be up there in your humidity instead of what we have here in South Carolina...temps in the 90s and heat indexes well over 100! I'm a former resident of the northeast and I've traded snow for humidity :)
I'll bet that all of you and the troops will get used to the weather in no time!
Posted by: Ann | June 28, 2010 at 01:02 AM
Hi everyone. Want to help with the expenses of the move? I have set up a team on IWon.com, if you play the games, the scores add up for The Ranch. Charities with the most points each month earn money from IWon. Help me win money for The Ranch. You can access through Facebook or at Iwon.com.
Thanks so much.
Beth Woodard
Posted by: Beth Woodard | June 27, 2010 at 02:21 PM
As an east coast girl I don't miss that humidity at all. Was back for 3 days and it was horrible.
Hope you still enjoy the humidity 3 months from now!
At least you don't have to invest in body lotion any more.
Love ya and miss you. Penny
Posted by: Penny Tushingham | June 25, 2010 at 02:57 PM
I love the climate debate! I used to live in Seattle too, and loved the green and the rain but not the long winters where the sky is so low you could touch it and it is dark by 3. Now in Phoenix, I will take dry heat over darkness any time! But I miss the ferns and Douglas fir.
Steve you don't say if you like the high humidity or not?
Posted by: Nancy | June 25, 2010 at 01:43 PM
Aw, Steve, now your hair will get all frizzy!!
NPD
Posted by: pjmac7 | June 25, 2010 at 01:18 PM
"Women in the south have good skin and women in the west have good hair." Even the Garden of Eden had snakes.
Posted by: Chad Stephens | June 25, 2010 at 12:56 PM
Isn't it funny how "the grass is always greener".............;-)
Posted by: Ev | June 25, 2010 at 12:47 PM
Okay, Had to offer my 2 cents on humidity vs. dry heat...been both places; would take (and am taking) humidity in a heartbeat. Sorry Italy but if you have ever lived in Arizona or dry southern California deserts you not only have to contend with dry skin but rattlesnakes, scorpions and tarantulas. It gets so hot during the day you can't be outside except for very early morning or evening...unfortunately the snakes, scorpions and tarantulas feel the same way so you and your animals are always running into these things on a very regular basis. Snake antivenom for dogs is extremely expensive and sadly not always available. Additionally, you can only run your A/C on a VERY limited basis, otherwise you end up with a $900.00 a month electrical bill. There are many things you can do to a pond to take care of mosquitoes; same with ticks. Give me humidity, mosquitoes and ticks and I'll give you rattlesnakes, scorpions and heat.:-)
Posted by: Dee's Mom | June 25, 2010 at 11:09 AM
I sure understand! I am in Texas and look forward moving to Oregon.
Much like climate in Washington, I loved so much.
This heat and arid climate are so miserable!
I am glad for you, to be in the beauty of your new home. True joy.
Posted by: Glenda | June 25, 2010 at 09:33 AM
Ok, well I guess SW Florida will chime in. I always knew FL had awful humidity from about April to October but I didn't know how many other parts of the country did too. I always thought we were the only ones and that northerners were exempt from it. I thought wrong. As another poster pointed out, I too have to remove my glasses when I get out of my car because they steam up so badly. They do say they humidity is good for the skin tho. I just find it annoying and unsettling. Steve, does it stay that humid all day or is it just a morning dew type of thing??
Posted by: Anne | June 25, 2010 at 08:53 AM
Hmm, I hope you don't mind the mosquitoes up there, too!
Posted by: Leslee | June 25, 2010 at 08:43 AM
As I live in a very humid area (the Po Valley of northern Italy), I'm afraid I can't share your enthusiasm for wet climates.;-) I'd rather live in a dry place, such as Namibia or Arizona. My poor bones would certainly appreciate it.:-)
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | June 25, 2010 at 03:00 AM
Humidity! Bah-humbug! We have had a ton of it this spring/summer & all I can say is that it's a heck of a lot better than last year when we were in a drought in South TX. But, the funniest thing that happens is getting out of the car & glasses steam up so bad you have to take them off to see where you're going!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | June 25, 2010 at 12:07 AM
Anyplace you choose to live will have pluses and minuses. I too grew up in a humid climate -- which is why I love the more arid West. Hope you are equally enthusiastic when that pond on your property starts producing mosquitoes!!!
Posted by: Helen | June 24, 2010 at 10:46 PM
Humidity?? I'm in southeast Louisiana. Please.
Sauna anyone???
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | June 24, 2010 at 09:35 PM
My son just moved to New Hampshire and you're so right it's a beautiful state!! Thank you both for all you do.
Posted by: Andrea | June 24, 2010 at 06:41 PM
Being from New England, I'm often forced to laugh when people tell me (with a straight face) about how the humidity is so horrible in Maryland and at least up in Connecticut it wouldn't have been so bad. Try selling corn at a roadside stand in CT in the summer (on the floodplain)... gives a whole new meaning to humidity!
Posted by: Kelly | June 24, 2010 at 05:11 PM
New Hampshire
Schmoo Schmampshire!
I can't find the official number on the web...but Helena has gotten something like 2.5+ inches of rain this month (depending on where you are standing) and we are happy to send it your way!
I also send you happy thoughts every day! Hugs for everybody! LB:)
Posted by: Laura Bratcher | June 24, 2010 at 05:01 PM
Just wondering. Now that you are back East (and with all that vegetation) do you worry about Lyme disease affecting your animals? (My friend's dog who lives in upstate NY was just diagnosed with it.)
Posted by: Peggy | June 24, 2010 at 04:49 PM
Ah, humidity! I was born and raised in western Nevada... as a kid, I visited my aunt and uncle in upstate NY one summer and promptly informed my aunt that all of her glasses had leaks. They all left water rings on the tables. I'd never seen anything like it. That was my first lesson about "condensation."
Thanks, but I'll take the oft-maligned "dry heat!" Although I agree with you, the ferns and lush grass are a definitely plus.
Posted by: Linda | June 24, 2010 at 04:28 PM