Earlier this week, NOAA released climate data from July and the findings are startling.

The Continental United States experienced some of the hottest temperatures since record keeping began in the late 1800′s.

Researched indicates the average temperature for the entire country was 77.6 degrees and equates to a 3.3 degree increase over the average temperature for the entire 20th Century.

The month of July also contributed the warmest first seven months of the year and the warmest 12 month period in decades.

July 1936 previously held the record for the hottest 7th month on record.

The heat coupled with extremely dry conditions over 63% of the nation have made for a very difficult season for many, including the elderly, farmers, and those who work outdoors.

Drier-than-average conditions hounded much of the country during the period with a near 7% increase in the severity of drought conditions from the end of June to the last day of July.

While North Alabama shared extreme drought conditions with much of the Southeast and the Midwest, a wetter-than-normal month was experienced in the Southwest United States; enough that July 2012 will be the 5th wettest July on record for the aforementioned region.

Below you will find a graphic highlighting significant weather events for last month.

Ben Luna
WAAY 31 Weather