Will This Be the Hottest Summer on Record?

With 8 days left to go in meteorological summer (June to August) this summer is in a dead heat with 2013 for the hottest summer on record at the Salt Lake City International Airport with an average temperature of 80.8ºF.

Source: NOAA Regional Climate Centers

This summer had a pretty good lead through early August, thanks to all of the pain and suffering from late June through most of July, but we've given some of that lead back this month.  Granted, August hasn't seemed to bad, but it's still above average for temperature.  Everything is relative.

Forecasts call for a high-amplitude ridge to build in over the weekend and dominate our weather over the next several days.  This mean highs in the mid 90s beginning tomorrow and lows near 70 at the airport (give or take a few degrees).

The average temperature for the entire summer in 2013 was 80.8ºF, which is right where we are at so far this summer.  Basically, we need to close out the last 8 days of August with an average temperature above 80.8ºF to bust the record.  Much will probably depend on the minimum temperatures.  It's going to be close, but I rate the odds as better than not that we eke this one out.

Let's hope we do.  We suffered a lot this summer.  I want bragging rights.