First Half of Year Hottest in Recorded U.S. History

Anyone who stepped out of the air conditioning last week knows that it's been hot lately.  

But they may have realized its been historically hot this year.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), these last six months have been the hottest January through June on record for the continental United States.

It also caps the warmest 12-month period the country has experienced since recordkeeping began in 1895.

By itself, June was a scorcher. Its average temperature was 71.2 F, two degrees warmer than the 20th century average. Furthermore, more than 170 all-time warm temperature records were broken or tied during the month.

Of course, those record temperatures were not evenly dispensed throughout the country. Most were centered around Colorado and most of the states adjacent to it.

Ohio's June temperatures were near historic norms, according to the NOAA.

Additionally, the Pacific northwest's temperatures were below normal with the state of Washington having its seventh coolest June on record.