Hot or Cold

This autumn forgot to move ahead and the weather vacillated between unseasonably warm and inching into cooler temperatures.

Thinking of temperatures—the hottest day ever recorded occurred in Death Valley 100 years ago—134 degrees f. That reading was certified by the World Meteorological Organization, an august organization.

As for cold the Vostok Station in Antarctica recorded the lowest cold temperature—128.6 f.

Here in Massachusetts our lowest temperature dipped to —35 degrees in 1981. Our highest temperature recorded and attested to belongs to New Bedford and Chester, 107 degrees f.

I usually like records, but I am content to abide in the center—neither too hot or too cold.

USA Today releases a listing of the coldest temperatures for each state. Alaska wins the award with a —80 f. Idaho isn't shabby with a —60 f low, nor is Wyoming with a —66 f. These are places I'll only visit in the summer.

They also release a list of the hottest temperatures for each state. Arizona clocks in at 128 degrees f. Nevada hits 125 degrees f and New Mexico hits 122 degrees f.

I love looking at records—on paper, in the newspaper.