The Enquirer
It was a hot, muggy Fourth of July in Greater Cincinnati. The oppressive weather sent locals searching for shady spots at holiday parades, festivals and picnics as temperature approached triple digits.
Excessive heat warnings are expected to continue through Saturday, and smog alerts, in effect since Tuesday, also are expected to linger into the weekend.
Wednesday’s 99-degree heat, however, did nothing to dampen the fun for World Choir Games participants, who gathered hours before the Opening Night parade at Great American Ball Park.
Misters and fans were set up at the ballpark, and volunteers passed out bottled water to keep choir members cool and hydrated while they waited for the parade to start.
While they waited, many clowned around, dancing and jamming in friendly competitions among musicians.
The rest of the week won’t bring any relief from the swampy hot weather. In fact, it’s expected to get worse, with temperatures expected to hit 101 today.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington said today will feel more like 108 because of the humidity.
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms on Sunday could bring slightly cooler temperatures – at about 94 degrees. Expect a little relief on Monday with high temperatures of about 88 degrees.
While Independence Day seemed hotter than normal, it wasn’t a regional record-breaker. The hottest July 4 here was in 1911, when temperatures hit 102.
