By Steve Huffman
Salisbury Post
Bear in mind that, technically, it’s still spring.
Makes you wonder how it’s going to feel when summer arrives, doesn’t it?
According to firefighters at Salisbury Fire Station No. 3 on West Innes Street, the high temperature Thursday reached 93.5 degrees.
That missed by 4.5 degrees the record of 98 degrees set in 1943.
Still, as anyone who ventured into the great outdoors Thursday afternoon could attest, things were generally miserable.
“It’s going to be real hot,” said Scott Krentz, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service near Greenville, S.C.
“And it’s going to stay real hot for several days to come.”
Krentz said today’s high temperature is supposed to reach 96 degrees. It’ll be more of the same for the weekend, with Saturday’s high predicted to reach 97 and the outlook for Sunday a balmy 99.
On Monday, computer weather programs anticipate a one-degree drop ó to 98 ń and then mid 90s through the middle of next week.
Krentz said a stagnant air mass centered over the East Coast is making things sultry from the New England states to Florida.
“It’s about 15 degrees above normal,” Krentz said. “It’s a little early heat wave.”
He said heat like this for such an extended period typically doesn’t roll around until July or August.
“And it’s not helping the drought much,” Krentz said.
Clyde Fahnestock, senior services director for Rowan County, offered a bit of good news for needy senior citizens Thursday.
He got word that Duke Energy will this year paying for fans for needy seniors who don’t have air conditioning. This marks about the 15th consecutive year for the program.
“It’s a wonderful program,” Fahnestock said. “It’s a great thing they do.”
With money secured, he’ll send a worker to Lowe’s Home Improvement to purchase the fans, and the Department of Senior Services should begin distributing the fans by the first of next week.
On Thursday, eight people already were waiting for fans. Those wishing to get a fan must complete an application with Rowan Senior Services. For information, call 704-636-2344.
Contact Steve Huffman at 704-797-4222 or shuffman@ salisburypost.com.