2011 Now hottest feeling year on record?

There is little doubt that this has been a very hot summer, likely an understatement for many. On a strictly temperature stand point though it’s only currently the 5th hottest on record since 1939 and the 7th hottest since 1878. There’s a split there because from 1878-1939 the temperatures in Charlotte were taken uptown at the post office. Then in 1939 the temperature observations were moved to their current location at the airport.

Though based on another metric this has now become the hottest feeling summer ever. I’m talking about the heat index, or the “feels like” reading. Which if you remember is a calculation of the heat and humidity together and how it makes a human being feel. Remember this post about the heat index back in July. (The Heat Index & Records for Charlotte) 

This year so far we have officially surpassed the most number of hours with a heat Index of 100° or higher since these records have been kept. Which only started back in 1972 which is 39 years ago.

Today we stand at 131 hours of 100° Heat Indices or higher

graph1693

You should note that 1999 and 1983 had more hours of 105° plus which made them feel likely even hotter. This summer has had the most combined hours above 100°. If you like you can see the complete rundown of data below. Remember, we still have over a month left in astronomical summer!

Heat Index Counts for KCLT from 1972 through 2011

Year100-104105-109110-114≥115Total
197250005
19731100011
197430003
19751200012
197640004
197798500103
19784080048
19793400034
198080100090
19813110032
198220002
198352254081
198420002
19851000010
19867300073
19876400064
19884650051
19891300013
19903700037
19917620078
19922900029
1993100400104
199430003
19954400044
199690009
199700000
19982400024
199956315092
20002600026
20012630029
20024710048
20031100011
200400000
20054060046
20062910030
20074431048
20081700017
20091000010
20101111810130
20111052600131
Sum
Avg
1424
36
149
4
11
0
0
0
1584
40