July 2012 in three-way tie for hottest July

July in Cape Girardeau was one of the hottest Julys on record.

Data provided by state climatologist Pat Guinan at the University of Missouri show that July 2012 is in a three-way tie for the hottest, in average temperature, going back to 1946. Thorough records aren't available before 1946, Guinan said.

The average high temperature for July was 95.8 degrees, and the average low was 71.5 degrees. The average temperature was 83.6 degrees, tying 1993 and 1980 for the hottest July on record in the city. Cape Girardeau was 5 degrees above normal in average temperature for the month.

Through Aug. 1, Cape Girardeau hadn't yet tied the record for most days with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher. There were 12 such days so far this year, tied with 1952 for second-most 100-degree days. The record is 18 days in 1954.

Guinan said other hot summers before 1946 could rival this July, but they're not part of the official record he relies on for data. Those years are 1901, 1934 and 1936.

Data comes from Southeast Missouri State University (1946 to 1960) and from the National Weather Service measurement station at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport (1960 to present).