The question that could be asked is "How bad have the heat waves of June and July 2005 really been?"

The answer,  is "June 1 through July 31, 2005 was worse (hotter) than the last two years, but actually not as bad as 3 years ago during June 1-July 31, 2002".   And, the heat waves of this summer fall far short of the unbearable heat waves of the 1930's.

June 1-July 31, 2005 in Lincoln saw 32 days with temperatures 90 F or higher which was 8 days or about a week more than normal.  June 1-July 31, 2005 saw 6 days with temperatures 100 F or higher in Lincoln, which was 2 days above normal.

During this same time period in Year 2002, Lincoln had 9 more days with 90 F or higher temperatures than this current year.  June 1 - July 31, 2002 also had a stretch of 15 days in a row with temperatures reaching or exceeding 90 F.  This year the longest continuous stretch of temperatures reaching or exceeding 90 F was only 11 days.

So, yes it has been hot, and it has been hotter than normal, however, June 1-July 31, 2005 was actually not as hot as just a few years ago in 2002. 

Perhaps it has only seemed much worse than it really was this summer since we were spoiled with such relatively cool summer conditions last year.   There was a total of only 10 days with high temperatures of 90 F or higher during June 1-July 31, 2004.  June 2004 had only 2 days in a row of 90 or higher heat and July had only 3 days in a row of temperatures reaching or exceeding 90 F.  And there had been no 100 degree heat at all last year at this time.

There were no record high temperatures recorded in Lincoln during June 1-July 31, 2005, despite how uncomfortable it seemed to be.   And, ironically, there was a new record low temperature of 50 F on July 27, 2005.

For many residents of Nebraska, a common comment that I have heard from middle aged and older residents is that it sure seems like summers are much hotter compared to years past.  There are perhaps two reasons for this impression.  The first is that we have an almost completely controlled indoor environment with almost all homes, offices and cars being air-conditioned.  This allows for little "acclimatization" to the heat for the human body.  Years ago we spent much more time in non-airconditioned environments and became more accustomed (acclimatized) to the heat.  Secondly, we have an aging baby boomer population and it is a well known medical fact that the older one gets, the less tolerant the human body is to extremes in heat and cold. 

It is important to put this year's heat waves into historical perspective. 

During  June 1-July 31, 1936 Lincoln had 46 days with the temperature 90 F or higher which was 14 more days (two weeks more) than this year and 23 days with the high temperatures 100 F or higher, (which was 17 days more than this year.  During the summer of 1936, the mercury hit 115 F on July 25, 112F on July 17, 111 F on July, 110 F on July 10th, and 109 F on July 26. (Note the temperature tables below). 

The incredible heat waves of 1936 extended into September of that year.  August 1936 for example, had 23 days with temperatures 90 F or higher with a peak temperature for the month of 110 F on August 18, 1936.   September 1936 saw another 11 days of high temperatures 90 F or higher.  Lincoln had a total of 82 days with temperatures 90 F or higher and 41 days with temperatures 100 F or greater in 1936.

The heat waves of 1934 were also similar to 1936.  During  June 1-July 31, 1934, Lincoln had 45 days with the temperature 90 F or higher which was 13 more days (almost two weeks more) than this year and 29 days with the high temperatures 100 F or higher which was 23 days or 3 full weeks more than this year.  For the entire year, there were 79 days with  temperatures 90 F or higher and 39 days with high temperatures 100 F or higher during 1934.  The last 90 degree day in 1934 didn't occur until October 8, 1934. 

Our longest heat wave so far this summer with temperatures 90 F or higher was 11 days in a row from July 7-17, however there were 35 days in a row with temperatures 90 F or higher (from June 24 through July 28) in 1936.  And in 1934, there were 38 days (July 8-Aug 14) in a row with temperatures 90 F or higher in Lincoln.

Considering the almost total lack of air conditioning during the 1930's, it is difficult to imagine how the residents of Nebraska coped with temperatures that were 100 F or higher on 29 days during June 1 - July 31, 1934 and 23 days during June 1 - July 31,  1936.  The total of only 6 days this year during June 1 - July 31 pales in comparison to the heat waves of the 1930's. 

Climatologically, the hottest time of the year for eastern Nebraska is late July but if climate history teaches us anything, there is still ample opportunity for heat waves well into early Autumn.  In fact Lincoln has seen 90 F or higher temperature as late as mid-October.

A look ahead: The current string of temperatures in the 90's should only last until later this week when showers and cooler 80 degree temperatures return to the area.  The Climate Prediction Center in Washington, D.C. indicates that the outlook is for above normal temperatures through mid-August in our area with just a few breaks in the heat. The good news is that none of the computer models are currently predicting oppressive 100 degree heat over the next few weeks so it is unlikely that we will see anything as unbearable as the heat waves of the 1930's.