How hot was July/How hot has summer been overall

July 2016 Orlando was one for the record books. Its never good when a place that already has brutally hot and humid weather even in a normal July has their hottest July ever but thats what we have dealt with the past thirty one days. Just how hot was it? Lets dive into the numbers

first of all, for the first time in the history of Orlando weather keeping (122 years!!!!) all 31 days in July got to at least 90 degrees. That is incredibly remarkable. In fact no July since 1988 before this one had more than 27 ninety degree days in July. July 31st marked the 40th consecutive 90 degree day in Orlando, which is still a couple weeks shy of the all time record of 55 consecutive ninety degree days, but with no end in sight if I were a betting man I would be that we will get there.

July also saw 10 days make it to at least 95 degrees, the average over the past 122 years is 3.

It hasnt just been the middle of the days that were super hot, the morning were much hotter than normal as well. The temperature fell below 75 degrees just two days in July, compared to the average of 11.

Luckily one area where this July was much milder than last July has been the average humidity. The average dew point this July was 73, which is right in line with the average. Last years average dew point in July was a downright unbearable 75 (two degrees may seem marginal but when we are talking dew points it makes a huge difference.) Needless to say last years July was one of the most humid ever so it was good to at least go back to normal in that respect.

Two things to look at to compare this summer to very recent summers. Here is the total number of 90 degree days for the year through July 31st.

2010: 69
2011: 74
2012: 59
2013: 36
2014: 60
2015: 67
2016: 73
Average: 63

Of course Floridians know actual temperature doesn't really tell you much in the summer. Much more important is the heat index which gives you a better idea of the heat/humidity combo. A 95 degree day with a 65 dew point feels much more comfortable and has a lower heat index than an 88 degree day with a 75 dew point.  Here is the amount of days through July 31st where the heat index made it to at least 100 degrees

2010: 31
2011: 17
2012: 7
2013: 2
2014: 15
2015: 35
2016: 36

One of the main components that  has played a part in ensuring such a hot July was the rain, or complete lack thereof. There was rainfall in an astoundingly low 14 of 31 days in July (the average is 22.) Without rain to cool things off it allows temps to soar in the middle of the day and makes for a much slower cool down after sunset and therefore hotter nights and mornings as well. In terms of average temperature and dew point August is essentially the exact same as July. The differences between the two months is August has shorter daylight hours and a little bit less rain (19 days on average.) On average the hottest day of the year in Orlando is August 3rd, which means starting on August 4th the average temperature starts going down, albeit very slowly for about 1.5 months, but at least cooler days are getting closer!