Ismael Candelaria grew up on the beaches of Puerto Rico, so Baltimore winters have taken some getting used to — especially the days he works outside at a car wash.
During some of the coldest stretches this winter, he bundled up in four layers of clothes — his face peeking out from his hood — trying to stay warm as he checked in drivers getting their cars cleaned at Canton Car Wash in Baltimore.
Candeleria is one of the many area residents who must report to work for jobs outside — even when temperatures dip well below freezing, delaying schools, closing the zoo and prompting "code blue" advisories to get homeless people into shelters.
With highs in the 20s and lows in the teens and single digits, last week's temperatures were some of Baltimore's lowest in at least five years — though not as cold as last year's extended "polar vortex." A low of 6 degrees at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on Thursday was two degrees shy of tying a record low for Jan. 8. Normal highs this time of year are in the lower 40s, with lows in the mid-20s.
For Monday, the National Weather Service predicted a wintry mix that would continue through the morning. A slight warm-up into the 30s is expected this week, but temperatures could drop into the teens some days. A slight warm-up into the 30s is expected this week, but temperatures could drop into the teens some days.
No matter the weather, workers like Candelaria brave the elements to do their jobs.
"It's all mental until you can't feel your fingers anymore," said Candelaria, who wears gloves and tries to focus on his duties to keep his mind off the cold.
The owners at Canton Car Wash may close for torrential rain, but it's not often that it gets cold enough to shutter the doors. They have heaters to keep the water from icing up and some of the work is done in a covered area. But workers shine tires, spray down cars with soapy water and perform many other duties outdoors.
Owner Chris Rivera reminds workers that there are only a couple of brutally cold months and tries to keep morale up with lots of encouragement. The business also frequently rotates employees so they aren't always working the coldest jobs. Some workers feel a sense of accomplishment in making it through the worst weather days, he said.
But not everybody is hearty enough to deal with the cold and some quit after just a couple of weeks, said general manager Mike McGinnis.
"If they can make it through the cold periods we know they can make it through anything," he said.
Hundreds of city workers also must report for duty in less than ideal weather conditions. They pick up trash, direct traffic, clean storm drains, mulch Christmas trees and repair water main breaks. Some work through the night when most residents are snuggled under blankets in heated homes.
"No matter how cold it is, our people are out because they have to do it," said Kurt Kocher, a spokesman for the Baltimore Department of Public Works, which employs many of these workers.
One morning last week, nearly a half-dozen workers were repairing a pipe that had burst on Kirk Avenue. They dressed in layers and wore insulated jumpsuits and waterproof boots. The workers say they sometimes put toe- and hand-warmers in their shoes and gloves, and take breaks in the truck.
"When the weather gets really bad, you have to keep moving," said Anthony Galloway, manager with the bureau of water and wastewater, who said they pay close attention to extremities that can develop frostbite quickly.
Longtime workers said they have become accustomed to even the most brutal cold.
Willis Spencer, who has fixed water pipes for more than 30 years, said his body has become acclimated to cold conditions. He doesn't even wear gloves on days most people would. The 55-year-old said the warmest place is in the hole with the pipe, shielded from the cold and wind.
"As long as you keep busy, you don't think about the cold," he said.
Giovanni Staiti wanted to quit the first winter he worked repairing pipes, 32 years ago. But he needed the job and pushed through. Now, at 63, he doesn't flinch when the weatherman forecasts cold days.
"I just get up and go," he said.
The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, the booster for the area, also employs many people who work through all weather conditions keeping streets clean and acting as ambassadors for the city's residents and visitors.
Michael Parker has worked as an ambassador for 11 years, walking people to their cars, giving out directions and telling people about city attractions.
On cold days, he dresses in lots of layers and wears a face mask, which sometimes makes it hard to talk to people.
"It's kind of heavy, but it keeps me warm," the 45-year-old said of his winter work attire.
The partnership gives workers more frequent breaks when it is cold, and Parker, who lives in Northeast Baltimore, said he also drinks lots of coffee.
Parker said things could be worse.
Working downtown is a piece of cake compared to a previous job at the airport years ago, Parker said. The wind would whip up when the planes took off and landed.
"It was real blustery," he said. "It was just like a wind tunnel. This is much easier."
Scott Dance contributed to this report.
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