Hottest month in history for Craig Colorado and Salt Lake Ci

[Scott Patterson]

I haven't seen any news story, article, or official announcement yet, but looking at the raw data, July 2013 was the hottest month in history for both Craig and Salt Lake City (I haven't gone through the data for the other places).

Here's what I get from looking at the raw data:

The average temperature for Salt Lake City July 2013 was 81.4F degrees (an average high of ~97.1 and an average low of ~71.2). The old record was July 2007 with 83.95F degrees.

It was the warm nights that made the difference. The average low of 71.2F was the warmest ever by a healthy margin, but the average highs weren't quite as high as they were in 1960 when the average high was 98.2F (the average low in 1960 was 64.2, thus 2013 was much warmer). The lowest temperature in July 2013 in Salt Lake City was 66F, which has never happened. Only four other months have ever failed to drop below 60F in Salt Lake City history; July 2006 with a minimum of 62, July 2007 with a minimum of 61, July 2012 with a minimum of 63F and August 2012 with a minimum of 61F. All other Julys have dropped to the 40's and 50's (the record cold July temp is 40F).

While there were 13 days above 100F in Salt Lake City (average is 2), the all time maximum for the month didn't get close to breaking the record. There were two 104F days in July 2013 (1st and 10th), but the all time record is 107F set on July 26 1960 and July 13 2002.

In Craig, it was our hottest month on record as well with an average of 70.8F. The average high was 90.8F and the average low was 50.8F. (More later).

[wxman57]

Those temps look quite pleasant. Average low near 71 means lows occasionally in the 60s. Almost a little cool. The 97 high would be quite tolerable. Much of the country east of the Mississippi had quite a cool July.