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 Omaha (Omaha Eppley, the official site for Omaha) saw 31 days with temperatures 90 F or higher which was 12 days or almost 2 weeks more than normal.  June 1-July 31, 2005 saw 3 days with temperatures 100 F or higher which was 1 day above normal.

However, during this same time period in Year 2002, Omaha had 6 more days (almost a week more) with 90 F or higher temperature compared to this year. June 1-July 31, 2002  had 2 days of 100 degree heat which was only one day less than the 3 days experienced this year.

So, yes it has been hot, and it has definitely been hotter than normal.  However the June 1-July 31 time period this year was actually not as bad as just a few years ago in 2002.  Perhaps it has only seemed much worse than it really was this year since we were spoiled with such relatively cool summer conditions last year.  Last year, during this same time period, Omaha had only accumulated 5 days with temperatures reaching or exceeding 90 F  (1 day  in June and only 4 days in July).  And, there  had been no 100 degree heat last year at this time in Omaha.

For many residents of Nebraska, a common comment I hear from middle aged and older residents is that it sure seems hotter than in years past.  There are two possible 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, Omaha had 40 days with the temperature 90 F or higher which was 9 days more than this year. Omaha during June 1-July 31, 1936 had 19 days with the high temperatures 100 F or higher, (which was 16 days more than this year.  During the summer of 1936, the mercury hit 114 F on July 25, 110 F on July 3, 110 F on July 4, 109 on July 14 and 109 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 22 days with temperatures 90 F or higher with a peak temperature for the month of 110 F on August 18, 1936.   September 1936 in Omaha saw another 9 days of high temperatures 90 F or higher.  Omaha had a total of 76 days with temperatures 90 F or higher and 30 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, Omaha had 42 days with the temperature 90 F or higher which was 11 more days than this year and 17 days with the high temperatures 100 F or higher which was 14 days or 2  weeks more than this year. 

For the entire year in Omaha, there were 73 days with  temperatures 90 F or higher and 26 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 in Omaha so far this summer with temperatures 90 F or higher was 11 days in a row from July 7-17, however there were 34 days in a row with temperatures 90 F or higher (from June 24 through July 28) in 1936.  There were 3 days in a row this year with temperatures 100 F or higher, but in 1934 there was a string of 11 days in a row with 100 degree heat (July 15-25, 1934).

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 19 days during June 1 - July 31 of 1936 and 17 days during June 1 - July 1934.  The total of only 3 days this year with 100 degree heat during June 1 - July 31 pales in comparison. 

Climatologically, the hottest time of the year for eastern Nebraska is late July, however if climate history teaches us anything, there is still ample opportunity for heat waves well into early Autumn.  In fact Omaha 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.