heat wave in south and mid-Atlantic coast

The big story through the first week of August is the crippling heat wave in the southern United States as well as the mid-Atlantic region. Roughly 40 cities in 22 states across the country either equaled or set new records for yesterday (August 8th). One of the surprises I see made the list was Atlantic City, a coastal casino-driven city in southeastern New Jersey.

What was even more stunning was the absolutely oppressive conditions in our nation's capital where at 3:15 PM it was exactly 100° in downtown Washington with a relative humidity of 79% and a dew point of 75°. What does that make the heat index? A whopping 112°. Undoubtedly very dangerous conditions to be in. I was surprised that the air quality forecast was not upgraded higher than "unhealthy for sensitive groups". But I guess that's up to the National Weather Service.

I was surprised that I was only able to find one reporting station in Texas had a new record high. Then again, not all reporting stations have their daily records available at the National Weather Service's web site. The Lone Star State has been relatively cooler this summer (to their standards) than what we have seen in recent years. Dallas hasn't even reached 100° yet this calendar year, but that might change in the next few days. Remember much of that state was in a drought last year and it's the complete opposite this year with an amazing amount of rain through about two weeks ago.

Here is a list of those cities that set new record high temperatures for yesterday's date.

August 8, 2007 – heat wave record high temperatures

Florence, South Carolina… 106°
Columbia, South Carolina… 105°
Greensville, South Carolina… 104°
Richmond, Virginia… 104°
Anniston, Alabama… 103°
Augusta, Georgia… 103°
Borger, Texas… 103° (tied)
Montgomery, Alabama… 103°
Baltimore-Washington International Airport… 102°
Charlotte… 102°
Athens, Georgia… 102°
Louisville… 102°
Macon, Georgia… 102°
Raleigh… 102°
Tuscaloosa, Alabama… 102°
Washington (Ronald Reagan National Airport)… 102°
Washington (Dulles International Airport)… 101°
Atlantic City, New Jersey… 101°
Danville, Virginia… 101°
Jackson, Tennessee… 101°
Charlottesville, Virginia… 100°
Cincinnati… 100°
Norfolk, Virginia… 100°
Paducah, Kentucky… 100°
Roanoke, Virginia… 100°
Georgetown, Delaware… 99°
New Bern, North Carolina… 99°
Charleston, West Virginia… 98°
Lynchburg, Virginia… 98°
Wilmington, North Carolina… 98°
Wallops Island, Virginia… 97° (tied)
Columbus, Ohio… 96°
Bridgeport, Connecticut… 95°
Blacksburg, Virginia… 94°
Jackson, Kentucky… 94°
Bluefield, West Virginia… 91°
Beckley, West Virginia… 89°