This map just released by the NOAA Environmental Visualization Laboratory illustrates the 2,755 daytime and 6,171 nighttime heat records broken across the United States in July of 2011. Each heat record point reveals a map that almost reveals the complete outline of the contiguous United States, showing how widespread the high heat was across the country. The Midwest, Northeast, and the state of Texas fared worst in this record heat. Not only was the heat extreme, but it was also persistent, with many cities reaching record temperatures more than 15 days out of the 31 days in the month.
The data are yet to reach the final tally because these points only represent weather stations that have real-time data sharing, and could increase as final results come together later this month.
