Record Highs June/July 2012
It was quite a wave of heat in the Ozarks with lots of broken records.
From the period of June 25 to July 8th, ten record high temperatures were recorded in Springfield. Of these, the hottest day was July 6th when we soared to 103°, smashing the old record of 98° set in 1975. Six of these records were at 100° or higher.
The all-time hottest temperature for June still remains at 101° although this nearly toppled twice with a tie of this reading on June 27th and 28th.
Heat waves are caused when the jet stream shifts northward. This does a few things. First, it makes it difficult for cool fronts to move through. The stronger winds of a jet stream and stronger fronts are connected in a way, one is usually found not too far from the other. Also, if a high pressure area decides to park overhead, the air sinks,. compresses and warms. This also snuffs out motion upward so clouds generally do not form.
Another wave of heat appears to be building next week.