Justin Davis, left, paddles a kayak while Ashley Easterly paddles an inflatable canoe Sunday afternoon on Soddy Lake.With the temperature topping out at 95 degrees Sunday, Chattanooga is well into the dog days of summer. But even dogs may have a hard time with this heat.
The Chew Chew Dog Park behind Finley Stadium was completely empty at 4 p.m. Sunday, usually a prime visiting time for owners and their pups.
"It's just not a great time for outdoor activities," said WRCB-TV meteorologist Nick Austin. "If you're doing anything strenuous like jogging or yard work, try to do it before 9 a.m. or after 7 p.m."
But some stubborn sportsmen might argue with Austin.
About a dozen teens on skateboards and rollerblades were tearing around Chattown Skatepark, seemingly oblivious to the ovenlike temperatures rising from the span of asphalt and rubber.
"Yeah, it's pretty bad heat. But if you love it as much as I do it doesn't matter how hot it is," said skater Buddy Smith, 17, who comes to the park about twice a week.
To those folks Austin advises: Stay hydrated at all costs.
Austin attributes the heat -- about 5 to 10 degrees higher than what the city usually sees this time of year -- to a high pressure area bearing down on the region.
For at least the next week, Chattanoogans can expect temperatures in the upper 90s and high humidity that will push the heat index into the 100s.
Austin noted that there's a slight chance of isolated showers at the end of the week, but not much hope for rain before then.