When it’s Snowy, Icy and Cold, It’s Hot and Dry Somewhere Else

After the large heavy snowflakes descended upon our neck of the woods, I’m thinking about what’s happening within other corners of the globe. What? Have you gone mad? Perhaps, but after negotiating myself and loved ones through these winter weather events over the years, I’m curious as to what it’s like in places on the other side of the Equator like Johannesburg, South Africa or throughout Australia. The Aussies are in the dead of summer in late February. I know, it’s beyond a challenge to have “summer empathy” for our friends down under, but the fact is, it’s in the high 80s in Darwin, Australia. Darwin is in the northern part of the country. Melbourne and Sydney towards the south certainly have their warm and dry spells, but hardly like their neighbors to the north. Remember everything is reversed down under – warmer in the north, cooler in the south.

Darwin, Australia’s late February 2015 temps are not too bad for summer compared to our temps in our typical late July/early August days. I know, those sweltering summer days are somewhat of a “dream” for many of us in the metro area at the moment. Summer can be a bit brutal to Australia  with droughts so bad, prime ministers in the past prayed for rain much more so than a Peach State governor who prayed for rain in summer 2007. Remember that one, folks? We were hitting over 100 degrees Fahrenheit that summer. Another problem for Australia: sweeping forest fires.

Let’s amp this thought up: Singapore is hovering in the 90s at this time of the year. Perhaps those folks are actually jealous of our current temps minus the way snow and ice paralyzes the metro area. Those in Singapore are well-equipped to handle this city state not terribly far from the Equator.

If you think Singapore is hot at this time of the year, think about what’s happening in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This area is not only seeing temps in the 90s, but it is experiencing an exceptional drought. Reservoirs are drying so badly, folks are asked not to use water after 1 p.m each day. For a country that has 12 percent of the world’s fresh water supply comes from Brazil. Much of that fresh water comes from the Amazon Basin, but only four percent of the country’s population live. About 21 million people are concentrated in the Sao Paulo/Brasilia area where there is little water supplied. There are some reports of doctors cutting short kidney dialyses for patients.

Certainly Sao Paulo would love to have the water from Boston’s massive snow if it ever melts while Boston wishes for Sao Paulo’s temps, but obviously that’s all a pipe dream. These out-of-balance climate examples could go on and on, but just think when it’s snowy, icy and cold here, it’s hot and dry somewhere else.