The temperature in Watertown peaked at 86 late Wednesday afternoon.

Further to the north, Massena set a new record with a high of 92, said 7 News weathercaster John Kubis. The old record - 91 - dated from 1953.

The mid-80s temperature felt hotter than it was.

Both Accu-Weather and Weather.com put the 'feels like' measure in the very high 80s, appropriate though uncomfortable for the first day of summer. 

By comparison, it was 79 in Miami and 71 in Los Angeles late Wednesday afternoon.

The National Weather Service posted a heat advisory for St. Lawrence County until 8 p.m.

Kubis said the overnight low in the north country would be in the upper 60s, and perhaps 70.

This was day one of our very hot weather. Thursday looks to be pretty much a replay, Kubis said, until mid-evening, when the temperature begins dropping. Friday's high will be in the 70s.

With the prospect of hot weather Thursday, officials announced the Masena fire station will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday as a 'cooling station.' Anyone having trouble coping with the heat can go there.

Also, state officials posted an ozone alert for counties east of Lake Ontario, effective from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday.

For those working outside, the heat is making their jobs even harder.

A crew from Felder's Roofing struggled through the 80-plus degree heat while putting a roof on a Mullin Street house.

Construction crews working on the Eastern Boulevard bridge had to deal with the heat radiating from old pavement.

Each person 7 News spoke with had his own way of getting through the hot work day, even if it was remembering cooler ones.

"I miss 'em," said roofer Seamus Van Tassel. "I'd rather be snowmobiling right now."

Roofer Brian Sanford decided to take his shirt off.

"I'm keeping it off all day," he said.

"Hang in there and drink lots of water," construction worker Gary Foster said of his plan to endure the heat.

"Lots of Gatorade. Eat lots of bananas at night," he said.

As always, officials are advising people to drive less and avoid strenuous outdoor activity.

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