Solar Flares; I was thinking

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

For what it's worth, the charged particles from the solar flares are funneled by the Earth's magnetic field towards the magnetic poles. This means that their impact on electrical grids is much more pronounced in the north than in the south. The "cold in the North" scenario is much more likely than "heat in the South".

As to the question of which would be more deadly, I'm inclined to think it'd be "cold in the North" (especially if it were prolonged). While it's true that many people will have independent heat sources (e.g. wood stoves, etc. -- NOT just open fireplaces) and/or outdoor camping gear, there will be many, many more that don't (especially the elderly who are most vulnerable in either scenario). Surviving without heat when the outside temperature is -20F (quite typical for cities like Minneapolis and north) is much harder than living through +100F without air conditioning. I suggest that more people have died during heat waves because most don't have air conditioning (but everyone has some sort of heating system).

My two cents...

-20F isn't that cold and 100F isn't that hot. If someone can't survive these with proper clothing and conditions, they probably needed to kick the bucket anyway LOL.

 

[arkcom]

I doubt many (any) in the north are using electricity as their primary heat source.

I can almost guarantee everyone in the south uses electricity for A/C.

 

[DrPizza]

There are propane powered refrigerators; I suspect there may be a way to make a propane powered AC unit.

 

[PowerEngineer]

I doubt many (any) in the north are using electricity as their primary heat source.

I can almost guarantee everyone in the south uses electricity for A/C.

I can almost guarantee that most all forced-air gas and oil furnaces will not run when the electricity is out.

-20F isn't that cold and 100F isn't that hot. If someone can't survive these with proper clothing and conditions, they probably needed to kick the bucket anyway LOL.

Nice sentiment.

While these temperatures aren't extreme, I suggest that surviving a long stretch at -20F is much harder than at +100F.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

-20F isn't that cold and 100F isn't that hot. If someone can't survive these with proper clothing and conditions, they probably needed to kick the bucket anyway LOL.

:biggrin: Says the dude from PR. I lived in Alaska for 30 years. -20 is cold. It's not OMGWTFBBQ cold... but it's cold. The good news for people who live in those temps is they are almost certain to have a fire place or a wood stove. I've been through extended blackouts in the winter and even with the wood stove rolling 24/7 it can be a challenge.

I doubt many (any) in the north are using electricity as their primary heat source.

I can almost guarantee everyone in the south uses electricity for A/C.

Your furnace won't fire without electricity. Fuel oil is no good without a spark. That said, see above. People in cold climes believe in backup systems.

 

[RedRooster]

How do the impoverished in Mexico and Ethiopia seemingly survive without such modern miracles as electricity? Heat just takes some planning and will. Nevermind that it cools off at night.
Once your house's electricity has been off for a couple days in the winter, and the temp inside is almost the same as outside, no amount of clothes or strenuous exercise is going to keep you warm. And if you think people are going to pull burning barrels inside their house to stay warm, then that changes everything. If we're talking desperate Mad Max survival and not just urban comfort/survival, then both sides of this argument should rethink their sides. Burning things in the winter to stay warm, and moving your family to live along a river like plains Indians from 200 years go in the summer, are pretty hardcore conditions.

 

[Scouzer]

:biggrin: Says the dude from PR. I lived in Alaska for 30 years. -20 is cold. It's not OMGWTFBBQ cold... but it's cold. The good news for people who live in those temps is they are almost certain to have a fire place or a wood stove. I've been through extended blackouts in the winter and even with the wood stove rolling 24/7 it can be a challenge.

I know very few people with wood fireplaces or stoves. I'd say it's pretty rare actually.

 

[DrPizza]

I know very few people with wood fireplaces or stoves. I'd say it's pretty rare actually.

I know tons of people with wood fireplaces and woodstoves. I guess that makes it pretty common actually.

 

[dank69]

I don't think I could survive in any climate without internet porn.

 

[Kev]

Here in philly I always hear more about heat related deaths in the summer, much more often than cold related deaths in the winter. So I would say summer heat is worse.

 

[Scouzer]

I know tons of people with wood fireplaces and woodstoves. I guess that makes it pretty common actually.

I meant in my area, which is considerably colder than NY.

 

[SunnyD]

We still gots our watermellon and sweet tea to cool us off down here. Whatchu gots?

 

[RedRooster]

Here in philly I always hear more about heat related deaths in the summer, much more often than cold related deaths in the winter. So I would say summer heat is worse.

To be fair, people know cold kills so they stay inside with electricity. Summer deaths are retards going 12 hours straight with no water cuz they're enjoying the "nice weather". Or working on a chain gang.

 

[DrPizza]

How do the impoverished in Mexico and Ethiopia seemingly survive without such modern miracles as electricity? Heat just takes some planning and will. Nevermind that it cools off at night.
Once your house's electricity has been off for a couple days in the winter, and the temp inside is almost the same as outside, no amount of clothes or strenuous exercise is going to keep you warm. And if you think people are going to pull burning barrels inside their house to stay warm, then that changes everything. If we're talking desperate Mad Max survival and not just urban comfort/survival, then both sides of this argument should rethink their sides. Burning things in the winter to stay warm, and moving your family to live along a river like plains Indians from 200 years go in the summer, are pretty hardcore conditions.

Well, if you're going to use Mexicans as an example of people who can tolerate the heat, then we'll toss in Inuit Indians as an example of people who can tolerate the cold. There's a big "used to it" factor that seems to be in play here. i.e. if it's 40 degrees in the spring, many of us northerners are quite comfortable wearing shorts. Whereas people from the south would be shivering despite slightly more clothing. But, that doesn't apply to everyone up north - many also haven't spent much time outdoors & would be suffering just as much. The converse seems to also hold true for the South - many aren't "comfortable" until the temperature is in the upper 70's, while some of those from the North are suffering once it hits 80.

 

[soulcougher73]

The cold north would be worse in my opinion. Just stay hydrated and in the shade and youll be fine.

 

[spidey07]

The cold north would be worse in my opinion. Just stay hydrated and in the shade and youll be fine.

How are you going to get water?

 

[Kev]

To be fair, people know cold kills so they stay inside with electricity. Summer deaths are retards going 12 hours straight with no water cuz they're enjoying the "nice weather". Or working on a chain gang.

It's mostly elderly people. Staying indoors does much more to protect from cold than anything you could do to alleviate heat.

 

[spidey07]

It's mostly elderly people

We actually had an 18 year old kid die from the heat here about two weeks ago. Landscape work with his dad. His temp was so high the ER thermometer errored out at 110.

Without water in the heat you WILL die in short order.