THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 8, 1995 TAG: 9508080251
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARA STANLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
After 26 searing days of 90-plus weather, Virginia Beach lifeguard Beth Finch wore sweat pants, a sweat shirt and a windbreaker over her bathing suit Monday.
``Yesterday I was sweating bullets and today I couldn't be colder,'' Finch said from her Oceanfront post on 10th Street as a stiff wind blew from the northeast.
Colder?
Monday's official high was 78 degrees, bringing an end to the longest heat wave on record in Hampton Roads. From July 12 until Sunday, the mercury climbed daily beyond the 90-degree mark. But the remnants of Hurricane Erin moved on and a cold front came through with drier, less humid air.
Today's high is expected to again be in the upper 70s, said meteorologist Hugh Cobb of the National Weather Service. Highs on Wednesday and Thursday are expected to be in the low 80s. The hot and sticky weather is expected to return Friday with highs in the upper 80s or low 90s.
At the Oceanfront, lifeguards hoisted red flags warning of dangerous surf, and swimmers were allowed only into knee-deep water. Winds of 26 mph were recorded at Norfolk International Airport.
Some tourists still got in their beach time.
All five members of one New Jersey family bundled up in sweats and windbreakers.
But Melanie Guinta, 18, of Montreal, Canada, wore an orange, string bikini.
``We don't have a beach in Montreal,'' she explained.
Many others decided to stick to the Boardwalk to shop and eat.
``There are only a handful of people today'' on the beach, lifeguard Finch said. ``And they only stay out here for about an hour.''
Darlene and John Horton, visiting from Bealeton, Va., bought matching Virginia Beach sweat shirts to keep warm.
``We couldn't believe the difference in the weather,'' Darlene Horton said.
At least one Boardwalk vendor was happy about cool weather - although it cost him business.
``Feels good out here to me. I like the cold. I'm from Indiana,'' said Tim Crawford at Uncle Harry's Cones and Cream stand at 10th Street.
``We haven't sold anything today.'' ILLUSTRATION: The big bake turns to brrrrr
Color staff photo by MOTOYA NAKAMURA
Lifeguard Lee Moore keeps an eye on visitors at the Oceanfront,
where swimmers were allowed only into knee-deep water because of the
rough surf.
Color illustration
26 days of record heat
[Temperatures in Norfolk July 12-Aug.7, 1995]
by CNB