Madison Hawkins, 8, cools off Monday lying in water on the steps of The Passage. Her family visits The Passage or Coolidge Park at least twice a week during the summer to cool down and relax.The top of the Regions Bank sign read 100 degrees Monday afternoon as Mike MacDonald packed his cooking condiments after a day’s work.
“Hot. Hot. Hot,” said the 58-year-old hot dog stand operator.
After five hours on the corner of Sixth and Market streets, sweating under a red shade umbrella, MacDonald made an $8 profit selling $23 worth of hot dogs and fixings.
He was one of hundreds of Chattanoogans who endured Monday’s sweltering temperature, which hit the upper 90s. He said he’ll be back today when the temperature is expected to hit the upper 90s again, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown, Tenn.
Monday’s high reached 97 degrees, falling short of the 100-degree record set on the same day in 1980, according to Sam Roberts of the Morristown weather service.