Early Heat Wave Has Shore Struggling To Keep Cool
Shade was sought by customers at the Salt Water Beach Cafe on the Asbury Park boardwalk over the weekend as temperatures reached into the 90s.—>By TOM SHORTELL
Shore area businesses and residents cranked up their air conditioners, got out their summer clothes and struggled to keep cool this week as temperatures reached highs of 100 degrees Monday.
Schools in Asbury Park and Ocean Township had early dismissals and construction workers toiling outside in the brutal heat drank lots and lots of water.
The National Weather Service issued an heat advisory for eastern Monmouth County Sunday, and heat advisories and warnings were still in effect for much of the state until Tuesday. The NWS advised people to stay indoors in air conditioning, whether that be at home or in public areas like shopping malls or libraries.
The climatology center in Atlantic City reported breaking a record for the heat when it reached 98 degrees June 9.
The previous record was 96 degrees set in 1984.
On June 10 in 1984 Atlantic City reported a record high of 99 degrees, causing a mini heat wave.
Valerie Meola, climatologist at the National Weather Service in Mount Holly said a heat wave of four days this early in June is unusual.
It is early for Monmouth County, its usually more toward the end of the month for these temperatures, she said.
In Newark they tied the record at 99 degrees June 9. The last time it reached 99 on that date was 1933.
Construction at the Asbury Park Design Center continued Tuesday in 90 degree weather. Supervisor Mike Brown said construction is hoped to be finished before Labor Day.
I have to say, honestly, its very trying, Brown said of the heat. The workers keep cool by taking breaks and drinking lots and lots of water, he said.
Despite the availability of air conditioning in Cookman Avenue shops and restaurants, Brown said he avoids air conditioning while on breaks because hell eventually have to head back under the heavy sun. Going into air conditioning actually ruins it for you, he said.
Some of those businesses are seeing a rise in customers, however.
Our lunches are doing good, said Toni Wikander, the general manager of the Brickwall Tavern on Cookman Avenue. She said the restaurant has been serving a lot of construction people lately, with plenty of others as well. While its cool in the taverns dimly lit bar and table areas, it can get hot in the narrow strip of the kitchen where the fryers, ovens, stoves and toasters are.
Weve been buying ice cream and popsicles, Wikander said, to keep the cooks cool.
Some families with young children headed to the Allenhurst Municipal Pool Tuesday afternoon as a way of beating the heat.
Four-year-old Mary Catherine Harvey and five-year-old Victoria Slevin played by the pools edge under their mothers supervision.
(Victoria) is playing hooky to stay out of the heat today, her mother, Candi Slevin, said.
Victoria is a kindergarten student at Wanamassa Elementary, which had early dismissals Monday and Tuesday because of the heat. Principal Justine Salvo said teachers moved their classes into air conditioned rooms to keep everyone from getting overheated. In some instances, classes doubled or tripled up to make room. The children had indoor recess as well, Salvo said.
In Asbury Park, several schools had early dismissal both Monday and Tuesday due to the heat.
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