Let's see if iron melts

by Staff
| June 21, 2015 9:00 PM

COEUR d'ALENE - Mother Nature could turn into a mean mama for Ironman weekend.

As if competitors don't have enough to worry about while swimming, running and bicycling for hours on end, temperatures are expected to shoot into the high 90s during the competition.

"It could be the hottest Ironman Coeur d'Alene in history," said meteorologist Randy Mann. "[Climatologist] Cliff Harris thinks we'll be closer to 100 degrees than to 90, and I agree with him."

Mann said the high pressure ridge that's already dominating the area will likely get even stronger next weekend, and that'll turn up the oven. For competitors and spectators alike, that could prove dangerous.

"We're not used to this kind of weather," he said, adding that normal late-June highs are around 80 degrees. "This is going to be really tough on people."

Mann cautions fans to wear plenty of sun block, protective clothing and to keep hydrated.

"It's going to be easy to get heat stroke," Mann said.