Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
Princeton was in the midst of an August heat wave on Friday, when the sweat rolled down backs and the ice cream at Bent Spoon in Palmer Square helped people cool down.
”It’s pretty brutal,” said Valerie Meola, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, Mount Holly forecast office.
An excessive heat warning has been issued for the Princeton region until 9 p.m. Sunday, the National Weather Service said. Throughout the area, residents endured temperatures in the 90s, although the real feel temperature on Friday was 104.
”I try not to worry too much about the heat,” said Kevin Cande standing outside of Hamilton Jewelers on Nassau Street.
The hot spell is being caused by a high pressure system sitting off the East Coast bringing southwest winds, which make the air hotter and moister, Ms. Meola said.
The I-95 corridor from New York to Washington D.C. is enduring hot weather. Philadelphia reached 96 degrees Friday afternoon, while Trenton was only a little cooler, at 94. Saturday is expected to be the worst day of the weekend, with possibly more humidity, Ms. Meola said.
Not everyone is complaining about the soaring temperatures.
”I love the heat,” said Laura Bair seated on a bench soaking in the sun on Hulfish Street.
The town of Princeton has made the Witherspoon Hall municipal building a cooling center for the weekend, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On both days, residents need to enter through the Police Headquarters entrance on Valley Road.
Susan W. Hoskins, executive director of the Senior Resource Center, recommended that older adults stay hydrated and keep out of the sun.
The hot weather is also rough on animals.
At SAVE, a Friend to Homeless Animals, shelter staff are taking precautions by limiting how much time volunteers walk dogs outside to no more than 10 to 15 minutes, said Piper H. Burrows, executive director. Also, they are walking dogs on the grass “as opposed to the hot pavement,” she said.
She advised pet owners to make sure their animals are well hydrated with plenty of water, and suggested that they keep their pets indoors during the heat wave.
”It’s even more dangerous,” she said, “for a pet to be exposed to extreme heat than extreme cold.”
Relief is on the way. Monday and Tuesday are expected to remain humid, but it should get more comfortable by the middle of the week, Ms. Meola said.
