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Good weather for boat race, but heat on the way

Local canoers and kayakers took advantage of the comfortable weather Sunday morning to race in the Flatwater Challenge on the Susquehanna River in Loyalsock.

With a low humidity and temperatures in the 70s on Sunday, racers brought their boats to Riverfront Park at both 10 a.m. and noon to see who would come out on top in the 6.3 mile races. Beginning at the park, racers coasted through the West Branch of the river before paddling down the main channel or, for more experienced racers, testing their mettle by racing through a confined technical section.

Loyalsock Township has held the event for 19 years and while the course has changed over the years to accommodate both new and seasoned racers, the township sees the race as ever-expanding.

“We hope to continue to offer it and see it grow,” Shannon Lukowsky, director of recreation and parks for the township, said. “It’s an asset to have in the township, being that this park is right on the river, it is the perfect opportunity.”

The weather is expected to rocket to the upper 90s by next weekend with a much higher humidity, according to Craig Evanego, National Weather Service Meteorologist. Kayakers and canoers who didn’t make the race may want to use the first half of the week to enjoy the waters of the Susquehanna before the weather is difficult to handle.

“(Today) looks like a nice day actually,” Evanego said. “We should be looking at noticeably lower humidity and a good deal of sunshine by the afternoon. High temperatures in the upper 70s.”

The good weather will continue into tomorrow, according to Evanego, who predicted even more sunshine into the afternoon with temperatures into 80 degrees and a comfortable, low humidity.

Heat building in the middle of the country should make its way East by the end of Wednesday, Evanego said.

Wednesday has a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms by the evening, which will usher in a very humid and hot Thursday and Friday despite predictions calling for only partially sunny weather.

Evanego warned that the weekend is still a week away, but if the National Weather Service’s predictions are correct, the upcoming weekend could be the hottest this year so far.

“We are probably looking at highs in the mid 90s by Saturday,” he said. “It’ll be something to keep in mind. Take it easy if its hot and humid, limiting your time outside during the hottest part of the day.”

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