Get ready for the HEAT

 If you thought last week was hot, you haven’t seen – or felt – anything yet.
This weekend will usher in the year’s first days of triple-digit temperatures for Lancaster County, and meteorologists want locals to take precautions.
The National Weather Service forecasts today’s high in Lancaster at 102 degrees.
Saturday’s high could reach 104 degrees and Sunday’s may hit 103.
Leonard Vaughan, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said each day this weekend could set a record for high temperatures.
He tells people to be mindful of their outdoor activity. The hottest times of the day are between 3 and 6 p.m., with the peak typically at 5 p.m., he said.
“When it’s this hot, people just have to be smart,” Vaughan said. “The main thing for people is to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water.”
Troy Black and his crew of concrete finishers with Black Construction made sure they kept plenty of fluids nearby Thursday. Shortly before noon, the team was out in the heat smoothing fresh concrete used to create four handicap ramps for the new sidewalks at the intersection of Woodland Drive and Gillsbrook Road.
Black said there’s no way for them to completely escape the heat.
“We work outside – that’s the nature of the beast,” he said. “But we try to start in the mornings and get out of it before it gets too hot.”
Lancaster resident Sarah Amason said the swimming pool is her hot-weather refuge. She makes it a point to avoid long stints outdoors unless she knows she’ll be able to go for a swim.
Amason said a part of her welcomes the high temperatures.
“It’s kind of exciting,” she said. “I want to be able to go in the water and not worry about it being cold.”
For those who don’t take to the water, Vaughan said a method to stay as cool as possible is to wear light-weight, light-colored clothing. He suggests cotton as opposed to other fabrics that don’t “breathe easy.”
And if the cooling system in your home isn’t working property, try finding a place to hang out that provides relief.
“Go to a mall or theater, where it’s air-conditioned,” Vaughan said.
Finally Friday almost canceled
The forecasted high temperatures caused organizers to consider canceling today’s Finally Friday concert, set for 6 p.m. at the corner of Gay and Main streets in downtown Lancaster.
After initially saying the event was off, organizer Caroline Hasty said staff chose to provide relief to make the outdoor scene more bearable.
“We have decided to move forward with Finally Friday, featuring bluegrass from The Easy Pickin’s Band, to include tent shelters and fans,” she said. “Because the band will begin at 6 p.m., we hope this will be the perfect venue to enjoy a cool evening under the stars in beautiful historic downtown.”
 

Jesef Williams/reporter

Shawn Tomlin of Black Construction takes a break from concrete work Thursday at the Woodland Drive and Gillsbrook Road intersection.

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