July 2012 Heat Wave Breaks Records

It’s official, this July was the hottest on record in the continental U.S., blasting July heat records set during the Dust Bowl-era of 1936.

A report released this week by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration shows that July 2012 was the hottest July ever recorded in the continental U.S. since the agency began keeping weather records in 1895.

In Connecticut, this July was the 9th hottest on record, with daily temperatures for the month averaging 3.2 degrees above normal, according to NOAA. The hottest July recorded in Connecticut was in 1913, when temperatures for that month averaged 5.4 degrees above normal.

You can find a state-by-state breakdown of heat wave records on NOAA’s website.

Not only was this July the hottest July on record in the continental U.S., it’s also the warmest month on record and, when combined with the first six months of 2012, makes 2012 the hottest year on record so far in the lower 48 states, according to NOAA.

The heat wave of 2012 has devastated some farm crops in the Midwest and experts predict the damage to corn, soy and other farm staples will bring higher food prices throughout the country this year. 

What does the weekend have in store for us? The forecast from noaa.gov:

• Today: Occasional showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. High near 82. Southeast wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Tonight: Occasional showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Patchy fog after midnight. Low around 70. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
• Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 87. South wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
• Sunday: A slight chance of showers before 9am. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.