@stargazer Recent weather here has been pleasant, with highs between 60 and 70F (16-21C)

Sounds about right for a maximum temperature, but this morning we woke up at 6.00 am to a wintry 5C (41F). Yesterday was icily windy, though it came with sparklingly diamond-hard clear blue skies, just like today, when we are still freezing, even though the maximum is supposed to be 21C. Winter has come and though we don't get snow as a rule, we do get frosts & icy-cold temperatures through the night and at sunrise. Minimum temperatures are just as important. {ym}:wink:  

Frost advisories remain for the next few nights, especially away from the urban heat island. Once Mother's Day passes the odds of a frost go down, though snow can fall as late as the end of May.

If you do have to go outside , do it either early in the morning or late in the evening

Absolutely. When it is the heat of the summer here (most of July, and sometimes the first week of August), even though I love being active outside, I will avoid the mid-day oppressive heat of the glaring sun, and instead work in the gardens in the very early morning hours, and, if necessary, in the evening hours once the sun has started to sink and I can work in the shade in (relatively) cooler temperatures.

The past four nights we have had lovely frosts {ym}:grin: , so we have protected vulnerable pots of pansies and our many amaryllis plants. The perennials have all been fine, and as it is too early yet for annual flower purchases, at least we didn't have to cover all the gardens (we have many), as we did one year at the beginning of June. This task was a huge job, but thankfully this cover protected all our hundreds of plants.

Today is the warmest day of the week, as we reach around 20C / 68F. The rest of the week will be low - mid double digits Celsius (between 53 and 59F). There is a large chance of rain tomorrow, with some chances pretty much the rest of the week, although not a washout, as we head towards Mother's Day weekend. Aside from tonight, nighttime temps will be from 2-4° Celsius (35.6 to 39F). Again, good walking weather, of which I have also experienced a lot over the past week. Fresh, crisp, invigorating! {ym}:cool:  

The daffodils and hyacinths are beginning to wind down, and the tulips are winding up. Our many perennials are growing nicely, although some of our earliest perennials, the beautiful peonies, will not be blooming for quite awhile yet, with all the cooler weather we have been having. 

I'm going to experience hot and humid weather for the first time. Any useful advice?

Us Americans love our air conditioning. I don't suspect you'll have too much trouble. Drink plenty of water and don't over exert outside. If you do have to go outside, do it either early in the morning or late in the evening. You will be here during the worst heat we tend to experience (last week of July/first week of August, ugh), so just take it slow. {ym}:smile:  

@pete  I saw a headline on the (Australian) ABC news app saying that Tasmania is expecting its hottest May day in nearly 140 years at the end of this week! 

That would be about 1886, then. And the population, especially women, tended to wear much heavier clothes than we do today. Yes, temperatures of 25-27 degrees Celsius aren't too bad. It was cooler on my wedding day some 55 years ago. 

@coracle wrote:

I'm going to experience hot and humid weather for the first time. Any useful advice?

Avoid it like the plague. {ym}:giggle: But since you can't, just grin and bear it. {ym}:clown: Wear as little as possible, while still staying modest. {ym}:wink: Bring light-weight capris and tops. Have a sunhat handy. And sun lotion. Drinks loads of water every day. 

@stargazer, your trip to Gooseberry Falls State Park sounds impressive, indeed. Quite the turbulent water photos from the article, wow!

@Pete wrote: 

I saw a headline on the (Australian) ABC news app saying that Tasmania is expecting its hottest May day in nearly 140 years at the end of this week! ...

The seven day forecast on the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) appears to be possibly significant rainfall coming next weekend though, and with it, more seasonably cooler daytime temperatures.

140 years, wowser! *melts at the thought of such heat*

Your seven-day forecast sounds lovely: good rainfall, seasonably cooler temperatures.

Here, we are having a nice cool start to May. So many people are complaining, and I just can't figure it out. {ym}:giggle: We will be sitting below seasonal, at a comfortable 12°C / 53.6F for daytime temps over the next few days, with night times right around freezing. In fact, this morning we received a frost warning for tonight, and no doubt these will also be in place for Friday and Saturday nights. {ym}:dancing: We will definitely have to cover up our many daffodils that are currently in bright bloom. But temps around freezing are my ideal walking weather (invigorating and fresh), so I will be out early every morning for my hour's walk from the dawn into sunrise. ♥ There is to be mostly cloud cover, with a touch of sun peeping out now and then, with showers periodically some days. {ym}:smile:  

As long as the burning summer sun-glaring heat holds off, I'm a happy hobbit. {ym}:smile:  

The seven day forecast on the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) appears to be possibly significant rainfall coming next weekend though, and with it, more seasonably cooler daytime temperatures. 

I joined friends yesterday for a trip to Gooseberry Falls State Park on Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior. Due to recent rains and snowmelt (there is still snow on the ground in sheltered areas), the falls were roaring and were most impressive. For more info and some pictures, see this article. By the time of our trip, the water had receded slightly and some trails near the falls were accessible again.