NATCHEZ — Temperatures reached another yearlong high Thursday, teetering just below 100 degrees for a few minutes.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Latrice Maxie said her office recorded a high of 99 degrees in Natchez Thursday at 3:15 p.m.

By 3:35, the temperature had dropped to 97.

But for locals who work outside, the difference between 99 and 97 doesn’t really matter.

Derrin Hughes, who works for Live Oak Landscaping, was pulling out weeds and cutting limbs at Promise Hospital Thursday.

“If I stay out in the sun too long my head will start hurting,” Hughes said. “Of course, I work in it every day from 6 to 5. I have to get water pretty often to keep it from completely draining me out.”

And it isn’t going to get any cooler, Maxie said.

“Friday and Saturday, highs will be in the upper 90s,” she said. “The heat-index could get into the 100s.”

The key to surviving the heat is playing it smart, local Robert Cotton said. Cotton, 83, spent Thursday, on his porch.

“You can handle the weather if you respect it,” Cotten said. “I know I’m old so I take care of myself and slow down. If it takes five times as long as it should to get it done, that’s OK.”

Benny Riddle spent the day gardening on Washington Street, but he has altered his day due to the heat.

“I try to start early and finish before it is so hot,” he said. “Of course, maybe that would happen if I didn’t visit so much, but I’d much rather talk — gives me a nice break and cools me off so that maybe I can work a few more minutes.”

But not everyone is bothered by the Natchez temperatures.

Dave and Chris Barrowcliffe, from Queensland, Australia, are in town to tour.

“We are pretty used to the heat in Australia,” he said.

“We think Natchez is lovely, we were just driving through and ended up staying here longer than we expected.”

Down at the Vidalia Riverwalk Makayla Raymo, 10, wasn’t finding the stroll as pleasing.

“I’m not liking it much right now,” Raymo said. “Maybe if it wasn’t so hot I might enjoy the river more.

“When I’m back home I can’t stay outside with my friends long,” she said. “I have to stay in the house playing games on my computer.”