July indeed hot — hottest on record

If you thought July was miserably, swelteringly, insufferably hot, you were right.

The National Weather Service confirmed Wednesday what Salt Lakers had been suffering through for 31 days — July was the hottest month on record — at least since weather trackers have been keeping score.

July 2007 had an average monthly temperature of 84 degrees, breaking the record set in July 2003 of 83.4 degrees.

Overall, July had 11 days of temperatures 100 degrees or higher, which ranks fifth all time, with 24 days of 95 degrees or higher, putting it in the all-time first place slot.

"July is always the hottest month ... but the daytime highs were a little above normal and the nighttime lows were above normal," said Mike Conger, lead forecaster with the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City.

Conger said the recent thunderstorms that have moved into the area are keeping temperatures from shooting up to July levels and relief is in site.

"We've actually hit the peak (of high temperatures) because by the end of July, it starts working its way down."

Thunderstorms should bring rain and much-needed moisture today and Friday, but by Saturday the dryness will return, Conger said.

The next three all-time "hottest months" were July 2006 with an average daily temperature of 83.1 degrees, July 2002 with 81.9 degrees and July 1960 with 81.2 degrees.