July 31 afternoon temperatures have been declining in the US for a century, with the hottest year being 1917 when almost half of the US was over 95 degrees.
On July 31, 1954 there were 100 degree temperatures coast to coast. New York City was 100 degrees.
On July 31, 1988 it was 110 degrees at Montevideo, Minnesota, and much of the US was experiencing extreme drought.
31 Jul 1988, Page 501 – The Pittsburgh Press at Newspapers.com
