July - Hot & Dry
July temperatures ranged from near normal to more than 6°F above normal.
July 2012 was the hottest month on record for the contiguous US. In the Northeast it was the 7th warmest July since 1895 and the warmest January through July on record. July 2012 was filled with hot temperatures and dry conditions for most areas of the Northeast. Of the 35 First Order stations, 16 ranked in their top 5 warmest July’s. Elkins, WV had their warmest July on record! All but one station recorded temperatures in the 90’s. Washington, DC had 22 days of 90 or hotter, more than any other First Order station this month, but Philadelphia tied their July record for 21 days of 90 or hotter with 2011. There were also 14 First Order stations with at least one 100-degree day! Washington, DC again had the most, with 7 days, which broke their previous record of 6 days in 1930. Dulles Airport tied 2011 for their record with 3 days in the 100’s. Rainfall amounts varied widely across the Northeast, from only 27% of normal in Buffalo, NY to 195% of normal in Elkins, WV. Some areas did get much needed rain, but all states excluding Maine continue to have abnormally dry conditions.