July Was The Hottest Month In History

It wasn't your imagination.

July was the hottest month the continental US has seen since records began, federal scientists have said. Last month, the average temperature was 77.6F (25.3C), hotter than the old record from July 1936, during a period of severe drought known in the US as the Dust Bowl. The last 12 months were the warmest since modern records began in 1895. It was also more than 3F warmer than the average temperature in July during the 20th Century. Climate scientist Jake Crouch, from the National Climatic Data Center in North Carolina, attributed the phenomenon to both localised heat and drought, as well as global warming, according to the Associated Press. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has noted that its index for measuring extreme weather - and not simply heat - has surpassed its old record, set in 2011. The US Extreme Climate Index, which reflects how much of the nation is experiencing extreme weather, is at 37% - above an average of 20%. For the first seven months of the year the index was at 46%, trumping the old record set in 1934.