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Holiday spirit feels the heat, and humidity
By JORGE SANCHEZ, Times Staff Writer The weather outside is, well, not exactly frightful, but neither is it delightful. It's hot and somewhat muggy, unusual for a Florida December. Typical mid-December weather in Central Florida has at least a touch of chill or even an early cold front or two. These days, however, the only chill comes from an air conditioner turned way down. "It's almost like the end of spring, like winter has passed us by this year," said Jerry Wells of Inverness, as he walked across a hot parking lot during the full blast of the midafternoon sun this week. The weather has made a difference for the holidays, affecting Christmas tree sellers and people trying to get into the spirit of the season. At last weekend's Inverness Christmas parade, many in the crowd who showed up early to get a good viewing spot were hot and flushed by the time the parade began, around noon. And it wasn't much better for the marchers. Many had red faces and sweat-drenched uniforms by the time they reached the end of the route. The young man wearing the bulky Citrus Times "Spot The Newshound" costume had to take off the heavy outfit because it was like being in a steam bath. Afternoon temperatures are hovering in the mid 80s, with 64 percent humidity, more like late spring than nine days before the official start of winter. The reason for the heat is a stubborn, upper-level high pressure system that acts as a stop sign for cold fronts sweeping down from the north. And it's likely to stay put through Christmas. "Most of the eastern U.S. is above normal," said Jason Dees, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Ruskin. "It's just that the term "above normal' for us goes right into the hot category." Even in Florida, people prefer a chill in the air for Christmas. It's no fun breaking into a sweat while you're hanging Christmas lights outside the home. Shoppers at stores are wearing Panama hats and shorts instead of warm sweaters. Christmas tree sellers said the hot weather hasn't exactly ruined their inventory, but the heat will sap the life from a tree more quickly. To counter the effects, some of them are using canvas covers, mulch beds and twice-daily waterings. But an informal survey of the area shopping centers showed it is not too hot to shop. "I'm still spending too much money, just like before," said Mary Scally of Dunnellon, as she loaded her purchases in the parking lot of the Inverness Wal-Mart. "It is unusually hot, but not that much that I won't shop," she said. "Besides, it's my way of helping the economy." Wal-Mart employee Bart Breeding was working at the Christmas tree stand during Thursday's warm and muggy afternoon. He had been watering the trees and adjusting the cover which provides shade -- for the pines, not for him. "I've been in Florida over 40 years and I'm used to it, though it should feel a little cooler," he said.
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