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Triple Digits Common Across The U.S.
June 18, 2021 at 02:45 PM EDT
By WeatherBug Sr. Meteorologist, James West
The dog days of summer can and do often bring triple-digit temperatures to various parts of the U.S. What might surprise you are places that have or haven`t ever recorded a triple-digit summertime temperature.
Tropical Surprises
Cities located in the tropics or near a tropical body of water rarely see temperatures in excess of 100 degrees. For many of these locations, nearby bodies of water often produce sea breezes that keep the air mixed and slow the heating potential of the strong summertime sun.
Additionally, high humidity common in tropical locations often helps trigger the development of thunderstorms every afternoon, again causing temperatures to level off or even cool. Even without triple-digit heat, the high humidity makes conditions very uncomfortable.
Major cities in the U.S. that have never recorded a 100-degree temperature include Tampa, Key West and Miami Beach in Florida and Honolulu in Hawaii. The more inland weather station in the City of Miami has recorded a 100 degree temperature on July 21, 1942.
Northern Locations Can Bake
Triple-digit record highs have been recorded in all 50 U.S. states and many large cities, even those located in the traditional winter "snow-belt" along the Canadian border and around the Great Lakes. Even Alaska`s all-time high is 100 degrees, recorded at Fort Yukon on June 27, 1915.
All-time record state high temperatures exceed 120 degrees in such diverse climatologically states as Arizona, Arkansas, California, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas.
Although it is not unexpected for states with desert areas on this list (Arizona, California and New Mexico) to see record highs this hot, the Midwest states on this list could be a surprise.
However, these continental locations far away from large bodies of water often see swings in summertime temperatures as the fickle nature of the North American summer weather pattern brings long periods of sun that heat up and dry out the land, often leading to soaring temperatures and prolonged drought.
So when temperatures hit the triple-digits this summer, remember that it isn`t as uncommon across the U.S. as you might have thought.
Be sure to check your WeatherBug often for the latest live temperatures in your neighborhood and from around the country.
Source: National Climatic Data Center
Tropical Surprises
Cities located in the tropics or near a tropical body of water rarely see temperatures in excess of 100 degrees. For many of these locations, nearby bodies of water often produce sea breezes that keep the air mixed and slow the heating potential of the strong summertime sun.
Additionally, high humidity common in tropical locations often helps trigger the development of thunderstorms every afternoon, again causing temperatures to level off or even cool. Even without triple-digit heat, the high humidity makes conditions very uncomfortable.
Major cities in the U.S. that have never recorded a 100-degree temperature include Tampa, Key West and Miami Beach in Florida and Honolulu in Hawaii. The more inland weather station in the City of Miami has recorded a 100 degree temperature on July 21, 1942.
Northern Locations Can Bake
Triple-digit record highs have been recorded in all 50 U.S. states and many large cities, even those located in the traditional winter "snow-belt" along the Canadian border and around the Great Lakes. Even Alaska`s all-time high is 100 degrees, recorded at Fort Yukon on June 27, 1915.
All-time record state high temperatures exceed 120 degrees in such diverse climatologically states as Arizona, Arkansas, California, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas.
Although it is not unexpected for states with desert areas on this list (Arizona, California and New Mexico) to see record highs this hot, the Midwest states on this list could be a surprise.
However, these continental locations far away from large bodies of water often see swings in summertime temperatures as the fickle nature of the North American summer weather pattern brings long periods of sun that heat up and dry out the land, often leading to soaring temperatures and prolonged drought.
So when temperatures hit the triple-digits this summer, remember that it isn`t as uncommon across the U.S. as you might have thought.
Be sure to check your WeatherBug often for the latest live temperatures in your neighborhood and from around the country.
Source: National Climatic Data Center