Outdoor Workers Brave Bitter Cold

For Cale Senterfitt, it's business as usual.

Outdoor workers brave bitter cold (Charleston County, SC) - For Cale Senterfitt, it's business as usual. Despite record-breaking low temperatures across the low country Thursday, the owner of Charlestowne Window Cleaning Services spent most of the afternoon outdoors. "It comes with the territory," he said.  "I've been doing it 12 years now."

Senterfitt, who's company specializes in window cleaning, pressure washing and deck cleaning, joins the likes of construction crews and utility workers, unable to escape the season's arctic blast. He says worked has slowed during the winter months, especially January and February. "Hopefully you can just squeeze as many jobs in toward the end of the year as you can," Senterfitt said. "If you're fortunate enough, you'll have steady work."

Insulated gloves, and warm water were among a few of the must-haves for the Florida native.  He says he'll often add additives to his cleaning solution, to prevent freezing on contact. "It could freeze up pretty instantly.  It's actually pretty amazing." 

While Senterfitt braves the cold as part of his job, for one group of Charleston volunteers, their decision is by choice. Known as "The Frost Team," as many as 25 volunteers from the Charleston Parks Conservancy meet several times a week, planting, pruning, and beautifying city parks. "We deal specifically with the frost damage that occurs to plants during this cold, frosty season," added volunteer Kathleen Gunning.

The season's see-saw effect of warm and cold temperatures forced Frost Team volunteers to re-visit areas they'd already maintained. Thursday's temperatures proved too much for the group, but volunteers said their work will continue next Tuesday and Thursday. "You just layer up and persevere."

Arctic blast sets record low temperatures in Charleston: Friday morning is one for the record books, as temperatures in Charleston plunged into the teens. Temperatures Friday morning dropped to 18 degrees at the Charleston International Airport, beating out the previous record low of 22 degrees set back in 1968. As if the temperature wasn't low enough, the wind chill is making it feel even more frigid. A wind chill advisory is in effect for the Lowcountry until 10 a.m., with the temperature feeling more like 10 to 15 degrees throughout the early morning. The forecast high of 39 degrees for Friday afternoon should also set a “Record Cold High” for the date. The current record is 44 degrees.

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