MOLINE, Ill. — Heat headlines have been plentiful lately as a prolonged stretch of hot weather continues to sit across parts of the southern and southwestern United States. While we haven't been immune to the heat here in the Quad Cities, the severity really hasn't been all that bad compared to previous years. That brings us to today's question:
Are the Quad Cities experiencing more intense heat this July like the rest of the country?
Believe it or not, as of Monday morning, July 31, the Quad Cities is only slightly above normal temperature-wise. This is thanks mostly in part to several cool nights, including a total of seven days with overnight low temperatures in the 50s, and eight nights with temperatures dropping into the lower 60s. The average low during the month ranges from 64 to 65 degrees.
While we didn't break any record highs during the impressive stretch of heat in the final days of July, we did manage to rack up again an impressive tally of 90-degree days. In the last three months, we've continued to see an above-average number of 90-degree days, though many of these were temperatures in the lower 90s.
Another factor that likely helped keep temperatures somewhat in check is the fact that most areas received some rainfall throughout the month, easing drought in parts of the region. You also have to account for peak corn sweat/evapotranspiration. The more moisture that fills the air, the harder it is to get temperatures to reach hotter levels.
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