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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Since You Asked: New parking-lot stripes coming to Bear Creek Park soon ... GOP has candidate for House District 5 ... Police ask for public's help in finding missing runner ... Since You Asked: New parking-lot stripes coming to Bear Creek Park soon ... GOP has candidate for House District 5 ... Police ask for public's help in finding missing runner ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You asked: Southern Oregon's low humidity makes the valley more comfortable in the summer Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 27, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Aug. 27, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News I am a former Chicago resident who moved to Jacksonville last year. In July 1995, Chicago went through a heat wave that reportedly killed 739 people. The temps reached 105 degrees. In the Rogue Valley, it routinely gets much hotter and more frequently, but I never read about heat-related fatalities here. Why is that? — Scott S., Jacksonville We're going to let you in on a little secret about Southern Oregon: "It's the climate." That's a phrase that most newcomers become familiar with, and it confers a little magic on the comparatively benign meteorological conditions in the valley. Also, Dan, several Since You Asked officials have been to Chicago in the summer, and the heat and humidity are killers. After going to the East Coast, the air feels light and refreshing here in our valley once you step off the plane. Dan Weygand, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Medford, said there are two main reasons why it feels hotter in Chicago and other areas of the country. The dew point, which is the temperature at which dew forms, is much higher on the East Coast. As a result, the nighttime temperatures in Chicago hold the heat because of all the moisture in the air. In the Medford area, nighttime temperatures usually drop significantly, giving some relief to locals. With higher moisture in the air, the temperature actually feels hotter. Perspiration normally helps the body cool off, but high humidity areas make people feel more uncomfortable and can be lethal to the elderly and sick. We should warn you, Scott, that we do get a lot of smoke in the valley some years from forest fires, and the smoke and heat can be detrimental to those with respiratory conditions. Luckily, it hasn't been too bad this year. So, climate-wise, you've landed in a pretty good area of the country, unless you prefer high temperatures and high humidity. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 27, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501