Who Had The Hottest Summer?

The National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) changed it’s ranking on which state had the hottest summer last year.  The previous unfortunate winner declared by NCDC for 2011was Texas, but new data says that it was Oklahoma that experienced the hottest summer of 2011 with an average daily temperature of 86.9 degrees Fahrenheit.  Texas in comparison had an average daily temp of 86.7.  Oklahoma’s record broke the previous state record of 85.2 which was set in 1934 – one of the Dust Bowl year’s.  The record swap became apparent after extra data trickled in from weather stations and meteorological field reports across both states. That data also pushed up Oklahoma’s mark as the hottest month ever by two-tenths of a degree, to 89.3 degrees in July 2011.  Oklahoma had experienced unusually dry, hot weather in the winter and spring, then summer brought regular triple-digit temperatures that fueled wildfires, prompted burn bans and led to water rationing in some communities.  Oklahoma’s 2011-2012 winter seasons experienced above normal temperatures and precipitation averages that were off their norms as well.  The summer of 2012 has yet to hit it stride, and all eyes will be watching to see if this year’s temps come close to repeating last year’s.