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CNN Live Today

Heat Wave Hits Northeast

Aired April 17, 2002 - 14:54   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Right now the calendar says it is spring but the mercury says it's summer. At least that's how it feels in many northeastern states this week. CNN's Maria Hinojosa is in New York, where folks have suddenly been forced to dig out those shorts and T-shirts. She's got the short-sleeved shirt. But, Maria, show everyone that wool skirt.

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the problem with this skirt, Kyra, was that when I went to pull out the summer skirt, it was all wrinkled. So wool is what's going to have to happen, for today at least.

Interestingly enough, Kyra, officially it's 93 degrees in Central Park. But there is a building thermometer that I can see from here, a block away from Times Square, it says 104, right here in the middle of Times Square.

What New Yorkers do when they can't get to the beach in the middle of the day, they come out to the green. And they just take it off, and take in the sun. This is the second record-breaking heat day we've had in a row. The last time it was 92 degrees yesterday was in 1896. And that was when Teddy Roosevelt ran the NYPD.

Now, Jesse here has decided that it's cool to take it all off. Jesse, so what, you think this is all a tease.

JESSE, NEW YORKER: It is a really big tease. We're only in April. We're in the middle of a drought right now, so I'm really afraid that it's going to carry on to May. And trust me, I was born and raised in New York. We're going to get really chilly back, I'd say by April 24.

HINOJOSA: Are you thinking there's going to be some snow? Is that what you're trying to say?

JESSE: No, no snow. I did not say that. Maybe a little dandruff. We're going to definitely be getting a little sprinkle. But this is just a big tease.

HINOJOSA: OK, now, you're a Puerto Rican New Yorker. Bryant Park versus Nokio Beach.

HINOJOSA: Nokio Beach, hands down. But I love my New Yorkers. Peace. HINOJOSA: OK, all right. Well, that's Jesse.

Now, over here people who are serious attorneys like Dina also come out. Dina has been out here looking pretty calm and meditative for the past half an hour. Dina, you're an attorney, but you're here in the middle of the day.

DINA, NEW YORKER: Yes, I'm on a lunch break.

HINOJOSA: OK, a long lunch break.

DINA: Not actually. Pretty reasonable.

HINOJOSA: Now, do you worry? Is there something that worries you when it gets so hot so quickly?

DINA: No, this is great. I wish it was like it all year round. It doesn't worry me at all.

HINOJOSA: And you had no problem finding the clothes to wear on a day like today?

DINA: Well, I'm in office clothes. So it's a little bit of a problem.

HINOJOSA: You are wearing all black. And you're standing out in the middle of the sun.

DINA: Yes, it's hard to find office clothes to wear on a day like this. But otherwise, no. If I were on vacation or holidays, that would be great.

HINOJOSA: And you want it to stay this hot for the rest of the summer, rest of the spring?

DINA: All year round.

HINOJOSA: All year round. OK, well, so far what we do know is that it's planned that towards the end of the week, perhaps by Friday, we're going down to 60. We'll see how that happens -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Maria, thank you so much.

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