Mark Crowder has seen his share of the heat this week. Crowder, who delivers Odwalla products, is also an umpire for youth baseball. Dropping off a shipment at Weaver Street Market Tuesday as temperatures hovered near 100 degrees, he said the diamond was a hot place to be this weekend.
“My partner quit after the second game because of the heat,†Crowder said about a game he umpired on Sunday. “This was the first real weekend of heat. After the first weekend, you just have to adjust.â€
Throughout the week, the National Weather Service issued heat advisories for central North Carolina, warning people about the exceedingly high temperatures, which broke previous records on five consecutive days.
Historically, normal temperatures during the beginning of June are in the mid-80s, but highs this week pushed into the upper-90s and beyond, reaching a blistering 101 degrees on Sunday and again on Tuesday.
Naturally, outdoor spaces were somewhat uncrowded.
John Futch, a 16-year-old who recently finished his sophomore year at Chapel Hill High School, said he skateboards at Chapel Hill Skatepark almost every day, no matter how hot it gets.
“I take more breaks,†Futch said about skating on Monday, when the heat index was 105 degrees.
The heat wave is due to break this weekend, but high temperatures early in the season have social services agencies gearing up for fan and air conditioner distribution earlier than unusual. Low-income residents with a medical need can apply with the Orange County Department of Social Services to receive a fan or air conditioner at 2501 Homestead Rd. in Chapel Hill or 300 West Tryon St. in Hillsborough. The agency is also calling for donations of new fans and air conditioners as well as financial support for utility bills. Call 245-2858 for more information.
The Chatham County Council on Aging is offering residents who are at least 61 years old a box fan at no charge. The council is also seeking donations of fans or cash to buy fans. Contact Kathy Burns at 542-4512 for more information. Residents are also encouraged to enjoy the air conditioning in both the Pittsboro and Siler City senior centers, which are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.