July 2012 was the hottest month on record for the U.S.

It really doesn't come as a surprise that the latest climate issue from the National Climatic Data Center for the month of July shows it being the hottest month on record for the United States.  Drought conditions cover roughly 63% of the nation and wildfires have burned nearly 2 million acres! 

From the NCDC:

The average temperature for the contiguous U.S. during July was 77.6°F, 3.3°F above the 20th century average, marking the hottest July and the hottest month on record for the nation. The previous warmest July for the nation was July 1936 when the average U.S. temperature was 77.4°F. The warm July temperatures contributed to a record-warm first seven months of the year and the warmest 12-month period the nation has experienced since recordkeeping began in 1895.


Precipitation totals were mixed during July, with the contiguous U.S. as a whole being drier than average. The nationally averaged precipitation total of 2.57 inches was 0.19 inch below average. Near-record dry conditions were present for the middle of the nation, with the drought footprint expanding to cover nearly 63 percent of the Lower 48, according the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Click here for a complete look at the report