Prior to 1960, July 31 temperatures were much hotter in the US. On July 31, 1917 almost half of the US was over 95 degrees, but since 1960 the US has averaged about one station out of five over 95F.
On this date in 1934, McPherson Kansas was 116 degrees. McPherson was 43 degrees cooler today, with a maximum temperature of 73 degrees.
On this date 100 years ago, almost the entire eastern half of the US was over 90 degrees, and there were 100 degree temperatures coast to coast.
The Pacific Northwest is having one of their coldest years on record, and temperatures have been declining there for a century.
But they are having some hot weather for a few days, so they are the new canary in the global warming coal mine.
