A Hot Day in October

90 degrees on October 14 is a record-breaking phenomenon, surpassing the 1919 record of 86 degrees for the hottest day this late in the year. And yet, 90 degrees in October is nothing like 90 degrees in summer: the air was warm, but the sun was much weaker. The punishing rays of the blinding white summer sun gave way to a gentler, golden light, and even at high noon, there was plenty of shade. This 90 degrees was, dare I say? Almost as pleasant as it was unexpected.