Wake County residents try to stay cool as weekend heatwave hits central NC

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The heat is on in The Triangle this weekend as temperatures are soaring into the 90’s — with 97 degrees forecast for Sunday.

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People are finding ways to keep their cool as this early-season heatwave turns sidewalks into skillets, parking lots into pressure cookers, and parks into oases.

Splash pads like the one at Dix Park’s Gipson Play Plaza in Raleigh quickly became one of the hottest attractions in town on Saturday.

“We thought it was a good day for (the kids) to come out and just have some fun, get them out of the house and, you know,” Laurin Hammond said.

“Just letting the kids play,” Scott Topal added. “Trying to stay cool.”

Whether it’s cooling off under fountains, finding a shady spot in the park, or simply staying indoors with the air conditioning, one thing is clear: This weekend’s weather is no joke.

“The entire weekend is gonna be on the hot side, 95 to 97 degrees all across the board,” CBS 17 meteorologist Matthew Huddleston said. “The one thing is humidity isn’t going to be as high as it could be for this time of year.”

Many parents sheltered in the shade while keeping an eye on the kids in the cool zone.

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“I keep around an umbrella just to try to keep some shade with me,” Topal said.

Healthcare professionals say early-season heatwaves can often be the toughest because our bodies haven’t fully adjusted to the summer-like temperatures yet.

“I started to worry about myself,” Topal said. “I started to worry about the kids. Unless there’s shade and water, it’s really tough.”

First responders remind everyone to limit strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.

Other tips include:

• never leave children or pets inside parked vehicles
• don’t forget to take frequent breaks while outdoors
• keep plenty of water close at hand for drinking

“My daughter likes to put the water in the freezer,” Hammond said. “And so as much as I get upset with her, it’s actually a great idea. And so, we usually just try to stay cool and just stay hydrated.”

“It gets so hot,” Topal sighed. There’s got to be shade, and there’s got to be water nearby to stay cool.

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