(WXYZ) — We're off to a record start for July heat, and the trend may carry over into the latter half of the month.
The average high temperature so far is 90.7°, and we have plenty more 90° days in the forecast. By the middle of July, taking into account our current forecast, metro Detroit will be on pace for the hottest July on record.
The ridge of high pressure that has brought on our summer heat should finally break down this weekend; breaking our stretch of 90° days. We'll cool into the 80s this weekend, but we could ramp right back into the 90s by Tuesday or Wednesday next week as another large ridge of high pressure takes over the southern half of the country. This could keep temperatures into the 90s, with very little rain, through the third week of July.
Some long range models don't suggest a break from that heat wave until July 21-23. The image above shows the temperature outlook forecast from the Climate Prediction Center, which has Michigan in a 70-80% probability of above-average temperatures from July 14 through July 20.
Below are July records from the past 145 years, and where temperatures will likely be by the middle of July 2020.
July records (Mid-July 2020 temperatures)
Hottest average high temperature: 89.6° (90.8°)
Hottest average low temperature: 70.5° (69.8° -2nd hottest)
Hottest average temperature: 79.3° (80.3°)
By this weekend, we will already have nine days reach 90° this month. Only 10 of the last 145 years have had more than 11 days hit 90° in July for metro Detroit.
Make sure you're drinking plenty of water, and taking precautions when you have to be outside in the summer heat.
