Transcend sultry

A couple of months ago, we had a day that was [described as being sultry.](http://jurgen.ca/archives/000128.html)  Saturday’s forecast goes even beyond that. It will be “fine” and 41c. What makes a 38c day “sultry” and a 41c day “fine”? Perhaps the extra three degrees push it past “sultry” and into undefined space, known only as “fine”. 

I can see it now: the head weather person, sitting on his throne, is offered a forecast temperature – the number “41” – that one of his minions had printed on the standard gilt-edged parchment. The minion kneels there, shaking, hoping to get a good word to use in the forecast, like “sultry” or even “gusty winds”. This minion was especially fond of the word “gusty”. It’s the boss’s job to provide the word to use along with the forecast. The boss, however, has his mind on other things. He’s thinking about the argument he had with his wife that morning, and how he can make it up to her. Maybe some flowers? Nah, that didn’t work last time. Chocolate? Perhaps. Might melt though, it’s probably going to be hot. Maybe she’d like some ice cream. Hm. Ice cream would be nice right about now. Hearing a soft cough, he absentmindedly glances over at the parchment, the number 41 barely registering. Seeking to be left alone, he says, dismissively, “Oh, that’ll be fine, whatever. Now go.” Feeling somewhat disappointed, the minion shuffles back to his desk, adds the word “fine” to the forecast and goes home.