Sunday, Jun. 08, 2008

Settling in: How’s the weather? Mostly wonderful

The Columbia area has five weather seasons:

• Glorious fall

• Mercifully short winter

• Gorgeous spring

• Sweet early summer, and ...

• Three to six weeks when you’ll think you’ve been transported to Hades.

You can look at the weather glass as four-fifths full — but be warned, everything in the glass evaporates in July and August.

Let’s look at the positives first.

USC students can wear flip-flops, T-shirts and shorts for half of the fall semester and half of the spring semester.

Unlike other notoriously hot places like Miami and Phoenix, Columbia has a definite change of seasons. Leaves paint the area red, yellow and orange in November. Then in April, the purples and reds of azaleas and wisteria mix with the new green leaves.

Unlike northern climes where winter snow gets old, the once-every-two-years measurable snowfall in the Midlands turns even adults into giddy children. Just don’t venture out on the road in the white stuff, because the locals have no idea how to drive on frozen roads.

Occasionally, tornadoes drop out of afternoon thunderstorms, but our severe storms pale in comparison to the Midwest tornado alley.

We’re far enough inland that hurricanes seldom cause major problems here, other than the traffic jams caused by people fleeing the coast.

In early summer, daytime highs hit the low 90s, warm enough to encourage dips in the pool or skiing on Lake Murray. Nights are still cool enough for comfortable walks under the stars.

If it weren’t for July and August, Columbia might have ideal weather. But we can’t wipe those months off the calendar.

Last year, for instance, the oven dial got stuck on 100 in August, with temperatures topping the century mark 14 days. And, combined with our high humidity, it feels like a sauna.

Longtime residents know the routine.

Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. Exercise outside at the break of dawn or around sunset. Head to swimming pools, lakes and rivers for water sports. And think 3M — malls, museums and movie theaters.

Iced sweet tea also helps temper the temperature.

Or you can do what lots of locals do — schedule out-of-town vacations in late July and early August.

Reach Holleman at (803) 771-8366.

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