Record Temps Signal The Start Of Summer

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A day like Friday signals the start of summer.

The 93 degree high broke the record of 91 set in 1911. And at Kenny Community School in Minneapolis, a hot day didn't hamper its field day.

From sack races to 50-yard-dashes, the children enjoyed the sun. And physical education teacher Jennifer Johnson made sure that extra water stations waited near the finish line.

"With the heat, we really had to plan for that," she said. "Try to find shade when we can, and all the kids, we warned them about having sunscreen and hats."

Other students were also enjoying the temps. Eighth graders from Carondelet Catholic School spent time at Minnehaha Creek, studying organisms and pollution.

"Our school doesn't have air conditioning, so to come out here in the cool creek water is a welcome change," said student Frank Heaney.

Over at Lake Calhoun, Luke Campbell said, "it feels like July not May."

Assistant State Climatologist Pete Boulay said it's too soon to tell if we'll have a normal or an above average summer. He said the climate prediction center reports there's basically a 50/50 chance at this point.

"We're in the middle of a string of above normal months that have lasted almost a year," Boulay said. "So it's been some time since we had a long stretch of below normal weather."

But people at Lake Calhoun could really care less about the chances. They were busy soaking up the rays.

"I want the summer to be gorgeous, and the hotter the better," Sara Spiker said.

Some at Lake Calhoun were daring enough to get in the water and others dusted off their kayaks and wind surfing boards. Many said the water was still too cold.

Nick Engbloom took a half-day to tan near the lake side.

He had this advice for everyone in the Twin Cities: "Get out and enjoy this. As people know, Minnesota weather is unpredictable, you don't know what you're going to get."