The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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July 11, 2009

NEW: Hot weather closes some outdoor activities

By Violet Hassler, Staff Writer

Mother Nature couldn't break a record high Saturday afternoon, but it wasn't for a lack of trying.

The Mesonet weather reading site just outside of Enid registered 107, three degrees shy of 110 reached in 1954.

The high mark of 107 was enough to close Leonardo's Discovery Warehouse's outdoor science park, however, said Julie Baird, director. The Leonardo's board has a policy of closing Adventure Quest if the temperature is below 40 or above 105, she said.

"You know children realize how warm they're getting out there because they're having such a good time," Baird said.

Kiwanis Club also opted not to operate its train at Meadowlake Park, said Baird, whose husband, Kevin, is president of the club.

The metal tracks can expand in high heat and cause issues for the train. The club also opted Saturday night to close the remainder of the rides because of the heat danger.

Enid topped a record 106 set in 1919 Friday by hitting the 110-mark late in the day, according to Mesonet readings.

Garfield County was not in an excessive heat warning Saturday afternoon, but western Oklahoma counties, including Major County, were, as were several in eastern Oklahoma. All of the state was in a heat advisory.

The NWS forecast calls for a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 7 tonight. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Otherwise, skies will be partly cloudy, with a low around 78. Winds will be from the southwest at 9-13 mph becoming southeast.

Temperatures are forecast to top the century mark again Sunday, with the high predicted to hit 108 with a low of 78 Sunday night. Sustained southwest winds will top out around 15 mph with gusts as high as 20 mph.

The temperature is expected to top 100 throughout the week until Thursday, when the high is forecast at 99. A 20 percent chance of rain enters the forecast again Wednesday night.

A roundup of some high temperatures in the area are 106 at Lahoma, 110 near Hennessey, 101 at Medford, 98 near Cherokee, 105 in Alva and 106 at Freedom. Information from Fairview's Mesonet site was not available.

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