Heatwaves come and go
Once again, warm temperatures prevailed most of last week in the area and this coming week temperatures look like they will also be above normal. The past 13 months have seen above normal temperatures and the trend looks to continue.
Scientists continue their discussion and debate on cause of the recent warmth. Certainly we are experiencing a period of warmer temperatures but the recent warm days is nothing compared to the heat wave of 1936.
Even today, Uniontown weather statistics show a total of 11 record daily high temperatures from July and August 1936 that still stand. Records in the city go back to 1913.
The temperature of 102 degrees was the warmest recorded during these two months and this continues to be the hottest daily Uniontown temperature although it was equaled during another warm spell in 1988. In fact, the 102 reading has occurred on 5 occasions; four times between the 1936 and 1988 date.
What is unique about the heat of 1936 was how widespread it was. Fifteen state records still stand, including Pennsylvania with an all-time heat record of 111 at Phoenixville, located near Philadelphia. Even North Dakota reached their all time record of 121. Cities from the Canadian border south to Louisiana recorded their highest observed temperatures.
Perhaps the hottest night ever recorded in the country outside the desert Southwest occurred on the evening of July 25, 1936, in Lincoln, Nebraska, when the overnight low dropped to just 91. Our area saw several nights in the low 80s during this heat wave.
The 1936 heat wave was centered over South Dakota where the town of Kennebec had a July monthly average high temperature of 107.
Twelve days in that month topped 110, with the peak being119.
It is interesting to note that every state including Alaska has experienced a temperature of 100 or better.
The record for the United States is 134 at Death Valley, California, and the world record is 136 from Libya, Africa.
Our mountain area just east of Uniontown recorded a cool 95 as the warmest temperature.
This was is 1988.
Records only go back to 1972 up there.
In the scheme of things, the area has it pretty nice when compared to other areas of the country.
If it does get too hot just drive up the mountain and you will always find temperatures at least 5 to 8 degrees cooler.
Judging from all the out of state license plates we see in the summer months in the mountains a lot of folks take advantage of our cooler temperatures.