Topic: Humidity

Adam Curry introduces Mimi Smith Dvorak as the guest co-host for Episode 1852, broadcasting from the Texas Hill Country. Mimi describes the current weather conditions in Washington State, noting high humidity and an incoming storm system from Hawaii. The discussion touches on the melting snow and potential flooding in the Pacific Northwest.

The hosts discuss current weather patterns in Northern Silicon Valley, specifically the arrival of an "atmospheric river." Despite reports of heavy rain, conditions are described as extremely humid and drizzling rather than a downpour. The conversation notes that while everything is soaking wet, the expected half-foot of water has not yet materialized.

"Corn sweat," scientifically known as evapotranspiration, is being blamed for extreme humidity and "heat risk" in the Midwest. Scientific American reports that corn plants release significant moisture into the atmosphere, impacting regional weather patterns. The hosts mock the term as a new addition to the climate change lexicon used to create a "strategy of tension."

New York Governor Kathy Hochul warned residents of a "historic" heat wave, which the hosts argue is typical summer weather for the region. They critique media reports from "Climate Central" that blame carbon dioxide for creating a "wool blanket" effect, asserting that high temperatures are actually driven by barometric pressure and humidity.

A series of critical emails from listener John Steck are read, mocking the hosts' lack of knowledge regarding "wet bulb" temperatures and fuel cell technology. Steck shares anecdotes from his time working in the Middle East and India to explain the dangers of high humidity on the human body's ability to cool itself.

The hosts revisit the debate over aerosol versus droplet transmission of SARS-CoV-2. After receiving feedback from producers, they acknowledge that in low-humidity environments, micro-droplets can stay airborne for long periods. Conversely, high humidity causes moisture to "glom on" to particles and drop them to the ground. This technical clarification resolves a previous disagreement between the hosts.

Dutch pollster and data scientist Maurice de Hond presents his analysis of COVID-19 spreading patterns, comparing them to the behavior of influenza. He argues that the virus primarily spreads in regions north of 30 degrees latitude where winter temperatures range between 40 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. De Hond emphasizes that because the population lacked initial immunity, the geographical data patterns are clearer than those of typical seasonal flu.

Maurice de Hond's thesis focuses on aerosol transmission rather than surface contact or large droplets, suggesting that low humidity and cool temperatures allow the virus to linger in the air. This theory is used to explain outbreaks in meatpacking plants and predicts the spread of the virus in Brazil based on weather shifts. The conclusion emphasizes the necessity of proper ventilation in public spaces and transportation over social distancing.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open the program from Austin, Texas, and Northern Silicon Valley. They discuss the muggy weather in Texas following recent rains and the resulting explosion of mold spores affecting their health. The conversation shifts to eye strain and the difficulty of maintaining focal distance while working on computer monitors.

The No Agenda Tour reaches New Orleans, Louisiana, after traveling through Lillian, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida. The travelogue details the physical toll of living in an RV, the high humidity of the South, and the confusion of crossing state lines in the Gulf Coast region.

The hosts discuss the plummeting prices of 50-inch plasma TVs and the abundance of wine bargains resulting from the economic downturn. Dvorak describes his natural wine cellar in Port Angeles, Washington, and the challenges of maintaining constant temperatures and preventing seepage in the sandy soil of the Pacific Northwest.