"Blistering July Heat Leaves Records Smoldering"

"It's official: July was a scorcher. High temperatures in communities across the USA broke or tied records 2,676 times, almost double the number (1,444) of a year ago, the National Weather Service reports.

Temperatures in Newark, N.J., set an all-time record of 108. Highs in Atlantic City, N.J., topped 105 for two straight days. Washington endured its hottest July since 1871. In Oklahoma City, temps topped 100 for 27 of the last 30 days of July. Dallas/Fort Worth is enduring its second longest stretch of consecutive 100-plus days at 30, closing in on the record of 42 in 1980, says Chris Vaccaro of the National Weather Service.

August is unlikely to offer much relief, forecasters say. The heat wave anchored over the Central and Southern Plains states, including drought-stricken Texas, is capped by a colossal vault of high pressure that has locked out cooler air currents from Canada. ...

At its worst, July's heat wave extended through 32 states. Eighteen states have heat advisories, from North Dakota to Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and parts of Georgia and the Carolinas."

Steve Sternberg reports for USA TODAY July 31, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"Climate Changes Predict More Frequent Fires In Yellowstone" (Idaho Statesman)

"'Exceptional' Drought Parches United States" (ENS)

"Drought-Hit Bears Head For Texas Urban Areas" (Reuters)

"Global warming: Invasive Grasses To Thrive in Warmer World" (Summit County Voice)