The Heat Hits Different

After living in Las Vegas for several years, I thought I knew what “hot” felt like. Triple digits were normal, and I learned to expect it. But there’s a difference I’ve discovered since moving back to Seattle—one I never fully understood until now.

In Vegas, 100° heat is dry. The air pulls the moisture right out of your skin, but stepping into the shade brings relief, and every home, store, and car has air conditioning. You can prepare for it because life there is built around the desert sun.

Seattle heat, though, is a different story. Even at 80–85°, the humidity makes the air feel heavier, harder to breathe. And most homes here weren’t built with air conditioning, so the heat lingers indoors. What feels like a “mild summer day” to someone from Vegas can feel stifling in Seattle.

I’ve come to realize it isn’t just about the number on the thermometer—it’s about how prepared we are to handle it. Vegas taught me resilience in dry desert heat. Seattle is teaching me patience, creativity, and slowing down when the air itself feels thick.

Wherever we live, the weather reminds us: we adapt, we adjust, we learn new rhythms. And sometimes, that’s the bigger lesson hidden in the heat. 🌞