Summer 2016 Destined for "First Loser"

It has been a hot, miserable summer, but it is now apparent that despite all the misery, 2016 is destined to only be the 2nd hottest summer on record in Salt Lake City.  In other words...

First Loser!

With 3 days left in meteorological summer (including today), the average temperature is 80.2ºF, a full degree ahead of 3rd place 2012, but 0.5ºF behind 2013.

Source: NOAA Regional Climate Centers

A half degree doesn't sound like much, but that's a difference in averages over about 90 days and even Ricky Bobby chasing Jean Girard can't make up ground like that.  

But don't be depressed.  If soccer can add extra time, we can add more laps.  We may be 2nd for summer, but we still have a shot at the hottest year on record.  For the year to date, we are only 0.1ºF behind 2015 for hottest on record, so we could go for the annual record.  

Source: NOAA Regional Climate Centers

Of course, breaking that record would probably require a warm November and December.  Let's not go there...