Boston residents look to beaches, fans, shade to stay cool amid heat wave
The first heat wave of the summer has hit Boston, and people are braced for it. Temperatures could reach 100 degrees over the next few days, although a sea breeze on Monday kept Boston slightly cooler than inland parts of the state.
Beating the heat at the beach
"This would be an exquisite summer day that people would rave about," said Sue O'Brien, who grew up in San Francisco. "I got out here this morning around 9:30. It was, say, 70. Perfect, perfect weather! Cool breeze. Magic."
Despite being a workday, M Street Beach in South Boston had people scattered across the sand.
"It's extreme," said Charlotte Couperthwait and her friend Devin Wiseberg. The pair just moved to Boston from Vermont. "A body of water. We needed that. We aren't near an ocean."
Even the T is feeling the heat
Even steel has a melting point. The extreme temperatures caused the MBTA to institute speed restrictions on several Commuter Rail lines. Meanwhile, T crews monitored the tracks to make sure they were safe.
"I just started working here in Boston, and I don't think I've ever seen this hot here before," said T rider Jenny DeMille
Landsdown Station near Fenway Park offered shade while riders waited for the trains as they tried to look on the bright side.
"Amen. Rather have the heat than rain," said T rider Dan McTigue.
Tourists, too, found the heat a challenge while checking out Boston's sites.
"In Colorado, it's very dry, so even when it's hot, it's not this humid," said tourist Erica Sheehan.
Concertgoers camp out in stifling temps
The heat also made it difficult for people heading to Fenway to see a Hozier concert. Fans with general admission tickets camped out along the stadium walls. Some people were there as early as 4 a.m. When it comes to general admission, the first people in line will get the best spots at the concert.
"At 4 a.m., it's a lot cooler. It's hot. I'm melting," said Bowie Faye, a fan who waited in line with her friends. "We've got fans - paper fans, electric fans, umbrellas, coolers, and people keep handing us, like, ice water and stuff. I am like, 'Wow, we picked the hottest day of the year to come here,' but it's OK."
Hozier will perform another concert on Tuesday, when temperatures are supposed to be even hotter. Concert-goers will be allowed to bring a plastic, refillable water bottle and a mini fan into Fenway Park.
On Tuesday, Boston will also reopen the Boston Common Frog Pond Spray Pool.
