#TheMoreYouKnow: Measuring Temperature

To measure temperature, the carriage community uses a thermometer that is situated on the roof of the old DoubleTree hotel on Market Street. If something happens to that thermometer, there is a backup thermometer on top of the Dock Street Theatre.

Every year in the warmer months, the location of these thermometers spawns a lot of conversation.  Many people question why the thermometer is placed above the street level. The short answer is because it provides the most accurate temperature reading, but we’ll explain in more detail below.

Charleston CARES’ top priority is maintaining the Gold Standard of equine care in the country. When determining the safest way to measure temperature, meteorologists and experts were consulted on how to most accurately measure temperature. They recommended the city establish the thermometers at their current locations. Let’s delve a little deeper into why experts recommend keeping the thermometer above street level.

One of the thermometers we use for our operations is located atop the Dock Street Theater

These thermometers measure what’s called ambient temperature, or the overall temperature of a given area. The useful thing about ambient temperature is that instead of giving the temperature of just one spot, it monitors the average temperature of the area. In order to correctly measure the ambient temperature of downtown, the thermometer needs to be off the street, so that outside influences like shade or pavement don’t impact the reading.

Our tour zones encompass most of downtown Charleston, and the topography of these zones differs from street to street. Much of that area is shaded and on hot days, those shady spots are cooler than the ambient temperature. However, since not every touring street is shaded, it is important to have the most accurate temperature reading. It is not uncommon for summer temperatures to reach the 95 degree threshold at which we temporarily stop sending out tours. Ensuring we have the most accurate reading possible allows us to make the most informed decision about when to suspend operations due to heat.

Regardless of the ambient temperature, we check each horse’s internal temperature before and after every carriage ride, 365 days a year. If the horse’s internal temperature measures above 103 degrees, we pull them from giving tours and cool them off until their internal temperature returns to our predetermined working range. If the animal’s internal temperature reaches 104 degrees, we pull the animal for the day so it can rest. 

Because we take these measures to ensure the safety of our animals, there has never been a heat-related incident in Charleston.