How do this year’s temperatures stack up against other hot summers?
Records from the New Mexico State University (NMSU) Agricultural Science Center seven miles south of Artesia suggest that this year is definitely a little different from previous heat waves.
In 1951 and in 2011, the first day over 100 degrees was May 28. The first day over 100F this year was June 13. The hottest day of the year in 1951 was June 30, reaching 110F. It was 110F again on June 27 in 2011. So far this year, the highest temperature was 109F on July 11. The last day in 1951 that was 100F was Sept. 27, while in 2011, the last high temperature was 103 on Sept. 1.
How long were temperatures consecutively at or above 100F?
In 1951 and in 2011, there were 13 days in a row at or above 100F. So far this July, we have had 20 days in a row at or above 100F, which started July 4. It may also feel hotter this year because the overnight lows during this stretch of high temperatures have averaged 69.5F. In 1951, the average low during those 13 days above 100F was 66.3, and during 2011, the average overnight low was 58.4F.
To date, we have had 29 days at or above 100F, 40 days over 95F, and 61 days over 90F. In 1951, there were 45 days that were at or above 100F, 86 days at or above 95, and 130 days at or above 90F. We have to have 38 more days at or above 100F to surpass 2011’s record of 67 days.
To date (July 22), we have had 40 days at or above 95F and 61 days at or above 90F. In 2011, there were 136 days at 90F and above, 103 days at or above 95F, and 67 total days at or above 100F.
