July 2011 is 6th hottest on record in Missouri

Last month will go down as the 6th hottest July in Missouri … and the hottest July since 1980.

Pat Guinan teaches climatology at the University of Missouri. He is also the state climatologist.

Guinan says the average temperature in July was a bit less than 83 degrees. The average is calculated by using both the high and low temperature each day.

July was unique because minimum temperatures were so high.

“That’s unusual to have several strings of days, weeklong periods of days, where the minimum temperatures stay in the 70s. In fact there have been several days in the mid- and upper- 70s … and even some locations where they had low temperatures right in the lower 80s, which is highly unusual,” Guinan said.

Guinan says the high humidity and high dew point contributed to the high minimum temperatures. Warm nights negatively impact corn and other crops.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

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Heat leaves many seeking relief

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - The high temperature in Cape Girardeau, Missouri tickled 100 degrees Tuesday and oppressive humidity shot the heat index value to 115.

That turns a lot of people into early birds … like Marcus Janzow, who owns a landscaping business.

“It definitely changes your schedule around. Getting out to the job site earlier, it’s still warm, but the sun’s not directly overhead and you can avoid the hottest part of the day,” Janzow said.

John Johnson owns a roofing company here. On days like this, he pulls his workers off the roof between 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 in the afternoon.

"We don’t try to push anybody in the heat. I shut them down," Johnson said. "At 115 heat index … I don’t like my guys working."

But relief is in sight. High temperatures are expected to dip into the lower 90's today.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

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