It's hot. It 'feels like' hotter

Meteorologists occasionally forecast good weather. They more often tell us rotten stuff we already know (“it’s hot out”) or ruin our tomorrows (“expect storms”). They’re cheery with a chance of pain.

So, I hate to pile on.

But here goes: Why in the name of all that is perpetually sunny and 70 must y’all tease us with an expected high and then slather a “feels like” temperature on top for more misery?

The National Weather Service says the “feels like,” or heat index, temp combines humidity with temperature to signal heat’s true potential to harm.

Still, it’s disconcerting. Just give us the “feels like” temp – one punch to our sweaty guts, not two.

As I write, the outside temperature is 97 degrees. The “feels like” temp is 108. And I live in Louisiana, where natives prize hot like mosqueeters love dank water. But even Louisianans are whining.

Car dealers do something similar. “The sticker price is $97,000, sonny. But you’ll pay $108,000.”

What if parents tried the tactic? “Kids, those vegies are broccoli. They’ll taste like French fries. We promise.”