Atlanta Workers Brace for Record-Breaking Heat Wave

Outdoor workers in the metro area prepare for extreme temperatures that could reach 90 degrees this week.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:22pm

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As Atlanta braces for a record-breaking heat wave, with temperatures expected to reach 90 degrees for the first time this season, outdoor workers in the metro area are taking steps to stay safe and beat the heat. Tree surgeons, roofers, and other contractors whose jobs keep them outside all day are adjusting their schedules, outfitting their crews in light-colored clothing, providing ample hydration, and closely monitoring for signs of heat exhaustion.

Why it matters

The early arrival of extreme heat in Atlanta highlights the challenges faced by workers whose jobs require them to be outdoors, often for long hours, during the hottest parts of the day. As climate change drives more frequent and intense heat waves, the health and safety of these workers will become an increasingly pressing concern for businesses and local communities.

The details

Trees Plus Ltd. owner Nick Sanchez said his arborist and tree surgeon crews are out in the sun from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., five or six days a week. To prepare, Sanchez holds weekly safety meetings to discuss the upcoming weather and what precautions workers should take, such as starting jobs earlier in the day. Roofer Todd Hendryx, owner of Dogwood Roofing, said his crews wear light-colored shirts to reflect heat and take mandatory water breaks every hour due to the extreme temperature differences between the ground and the roof. Both business owners also monitor their workers for signs of heat exhaustion and are willing to send anyone home who shows symptoms.

  • Temperatures could reach 90 degrees for the first time this season on Friday, breaking the current record for the earliest 90-degree day by just less than a week.
  • On Tuesday, the arborists and tree surgeons of Trees Plus Ltd. were working to remove trees and provide shade for their crews.

The players

Nick Sanchez

The owner of Trees Plus Ltd., a company that employs arborists and tree surgeons who work outdoors in the Atlanta heat.

Todd Hendryx

The owner of Dogwood Roofing, a roofing contractor whose crews work outside in the extreme temperatures.

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What they’re saying

“We go through the weather of the week, and sort of how it's going to be and what we need to do to prepare for it, so that's like starting jobs earlier, maybe we're adjusting our start time to an hour earlier.”

— Nick Sanchez, Owner, Trees Plus Ltd.

“When guys are wearing white shirts, it's actually reflecting their body temperature back towards them, whereas with black or darker shirts, it's actually being absorbed and then the heat dissipates outside.”

— Todd Hendryx, Owner, Dogwood Roofing

What’s next

Meteorologists will continue to monitor the heat wave and provide updates on whether Atlanta breaks any temperature records this week.

The takeaway

As extreme heat events become more common due to climate change, the safety and well-being of outdoor workers will be an increasingly critical issue for businesses and local communities to address through proactive measures like those taken by Trees Plus Ltd. and Dogwood Roofing.