Lamesa Press-Reporter investigates

Those around on August 22, 1985, had first hand experience of the record heat in Lamesa for that day....until now.

According to the National Weather Service, the temperature in the Midland area reached 103 degrees 39 years ago.

The record breaking 108 on Thursday topped that number.

The Lamesa Press-Reporter staff braved the scorching temperature to see how fast the heat can melt a package of crayons.

A row of Jot brand crayons was taped to a sheet of newsprint, and placed behind the office, where it would get an unobstructed view of the sun.

The experiment started out in the cool 87 degree weather, according to West Texas Mesonet, at 9:27 a.m. There was no noticeable difference in the coloring tools until 2:27 p.m. The 106 degree heat waves caused the colors to “sweat” oil.

Only getting an oily residue, the decision was made to purchase Crayola brand crayons, hoping for a more colorful “melt.”

At 2:57, 24 Crayola Crayons were taped to a poster board and set on the west side of the Press-Reporter office to bask in the 106 degree sun.

By 3:28, and at 107 degrees, the tops of the Crayolas had begun to soften. The Jot set was still melting oil, but pieces had begun to break off the taped on crayons.

The heat took it’s toll quickly on the Crayolas. Clouds began to set in and the heat had dropped three degrees to 104 at 4:21, but the Crayolas were soft to the touch and melting behind the packing tape. The other set was still hard when touched, but continued to leak oil.

Last check before leaving the office at 5, the temp was back up to 106, the Crayolas had developed into a very colorful puddle on the sidewalk.

The experiment was checked on at 5:30, and at 7:15, all the crayons had dripped from the wrappers still attached to the poster board.

It took around 4 hours to completely melt the package of Crayola crayons. If the heat can liquefy a crayon that quickly, it can also cause stress on the human body. Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and take advantage of shaded areas.

If you try this at home, use Crayola crayons, slant the canvas and prepare the ground for drips or puddles.

At the end of the hot day, all we can say is “that is how the crayon melts.”

Before: Clean canvas at 2:57 p.m. Thursday