You asked: Why does it feel so much hotter in Franklin than surrounding areas?

FRANKLIN—An area’s proximity to water plays a huge role in how it feels outside.

If the temperature is the same in two locations, a location closer to the water can have a higher relative humidity, which can make it feel warmer, said meteorologist Brian Hurley with the National Weather Service in Wakefield.

“Sometimes it can feel more sticky near water,” Hurley said.

However, bodies of water tend to have a moderating effect on temperatures because the sun’s heat causes water to evaporate and temperatures will be lower where there is more water to evaporate.

“Water keeps the temperatures from getting exceedingly high,” Hurley said.

The flow of wind can also affect local temperatures. For instance, temperatures tend to cool down when there is an easterly flow, but if the wind shifts, it can cause temperatures closer to the coastline to feel worse.

“Winds from the east actually feel better,” Hurley said.