Golfers beating the heat in Atlanta
The temperature today in Atlanta is 36 degrees, but with 42% humidity the "Realfeel" is 40 degrees, according to AccuWeather - Atlanta.
This is not the highest temperature ever experienced here. However it is enough to "make the corn sweat", according to CNN's metereologist Derek Van Dam, who is covering the Tour Championship at Eastlake.
Presently under heat alert, people in Atlanta are urged to stay indoors. That's not possible for the players and spectators at Eastlake.
Van Dam:
"This is the intersection of sports and extreme weather. Don't let this beautiful backdrop at Eastlake deceive you at home. The air is so thick you could literally, - almost, - cut it with a knife. Atlanta just endured one of its warmest nights ever. So when our body looks forward to cooling down, some people just don't have that opportunity without the use of air conditioning.
"Temperatures today could rival records upwards of 41 degrees celsius. This is all part of the same heat wave that has gripped the nation, with over several hundred records broken this week. Chicago yesterday hit 38 degrees.
"It's so hot that the corn was sweating. That's a real thing. Well now we have the intersection with a major sporting event, the pinnacle of the PGA Tour Championship happening where I'm at right now. This tournament used to take place in November, and believe me, the players and the spectators here wish that it still was in November.
"It's impossible to escape the heat here."
Full video at Edition CNN, 'Millions under heat alert in US'
Heat mitigation efforts by officials include cooling stations, sunscreen stations, multiple shade tents, discounted water, cold towels and more. There are also 'Coolmitts' available, - new tech cooling gloves, available for all of those who are playing, on every third hole. When someone puts their hands into the mitt, it cools their core body temperature, bringing it down to a safe level (Van Dam tried it out).
Brian Harman grew up in Atlanta, yet even he says, "It never seems to get easier to play in heat like this."
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