July - Exceeding Expectations

July average temperatures were up to 6°F above normal.

The Northeast experienced a hotter-than-normal July, with average temperatures up to 6°F above normal. This July ranked among the 20 hottest Julys on record for all 35 major sites and was among the 20 all-time hottest months on record for 32 of the sites. In fact, this July was the all-time hottest month on record for Elkins, WV, which has records back to 1899. Average temperatures for July at all the major sites ranged from 0.9°F above normal in Portland, ME, to 4.5°F above normal in Huntington, WV. Additionally, Philadelphia, PA, had 21 days with a high at or above 90°F this July, tying its greatest number for any month going back to 1874.

This July was among the 20 hottest Julys for all 35 major sites, with Elkins, WV, being record hot not just for July but all months.

July precipitation ranged from 25% of normal to over 200% of normal.

July precipitation was hit or miss, with some areas like northwestern Pennsylvania, parts of New York, and sections of northern New England seeing less than 50% of normal and other areas such as western West Virginia, southeastern Pennsylvania, and eastern Maryland seeing over 200% of normal. At the region’s 35 major sites, July precipitation ranged from 24% of normal in Buffalo, NY, to 187% of normal in Hartford, CT, with 21 sites being drier than normal. This July ranked among the 20 driest Julys on record for four major sites but among the 20 wettest for seven others.

This July ranked among the 20 driest Julys on record for four major sites but among the 20 wettest for seven others.

August is expected to be wetter than normal for some southern areas (shaded green) and hotter than normal for the entire Northeast (shaded orange). Click to enlarge.

According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, there’s an increased likelihood of wetter-than-normal weather for much of West Virginia, portions of Maryland, and a sliver of southern Delaware. Meanwhile, the entire Northeast is expected to average out to be hotter than normal for August.