'A perfect pool day': 1st week of summer brings hot weather

With a high near 92 degrees and wind at just 6 mph, residents of Dickinson flocked to West River Community Center's outdoor pool on Wednesday, pushing it to capacity less than an hour after opening for the day.

"It's been non-stop since. We are crazy busy here. Our supervisor is helping in concessions and can't get out because it's so busy," said Diane Stroud, outdoor pool supervisor.

Capacity of the pool is usually 400, but it has been lowered to 350 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"When it gets really hot, this could be a normal day, and they get here early," Stroud said.

When she arrived at the pool today at 11:30 a.m., there were already two fully formed lines, one for members and one for nonmembers. The line at the gate held steady as more people pulled into the crowded parking lot for the chance to cool off in the water. Stroud is the gatekeeper. As one person leaves, she allows another one in.

It's not the first time the pool has been at capacity, this summer or last, and Stroud anticipates they will go over capacity again this weekend as it's expected to be hot again.

"We'll see what tonight brings. We do our 5-7 p.m. twilight swim, and on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, it's family night, so families only can come in. I'd be interested in seeing what our numbers are tonight. (It's) beautiful. I'd bring my family ... It's a perfect pool day," Stroud said.

The rest of the week is predicted to be hot as well, according to the National Weather Service.

Thursday's high is 86 degrees with a 50% chance for showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 10 a.m. The day is expected to be mostly cloudy early on, gradually becoming sunny. Wind is expected to be 6-10 mph. Thursday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 55 and a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight.

Friday is expected to be sunny with a high near 84 degrees with wind maintaining speeds of 6-10 mph. Friday night should be mostly clear with a low around 57.

Saturday will likely be sunny and hot with a high of 95 degrees. Winds should pick up somewhat with gusts as high as 23 mph. Saturday night is expected to be partly cloudy with a low around 63.

Sunday will be nearly the same, sunny and hot with a high of 95 and wind gusts up to 26 mph. Sunday night will be mostly cloudy with a low of 63 and a chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight.

1/2: Dickinson residents flock to the pool to beat the heat, Wednesday. (Kayla Henson / The Dickinson Press)

2/2: The concession stand was so busy supervisors helped serve patrons. (Kayla Henson / The Dickinson Press)