Texas, Oklahoma Likely to Set Summer Heat Record

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) _ Weather officials say estimates show Texas just finished its hottest summer on record — and soon could hold that spot nationally.

National Weather Service meteorologist Victor Murphy said Thursday that when official numbers are tallied next week, Texas or Oklahoma will come in as having the hottest summer ever recorded in the U.S.

Estimates show Texas temperatures in June through August averaged 86.7 degrees, topping the previous record of 84.3 set in 1980 and tied in 1998.

Oklahoma estimates show this summer’s average temperature there was 86.8 degrees, exceeding 1934’s average of 85.2 degrees.

Estimates for both states’ averages could climb or drop slightly when they become official Sept. 8.

Taken together, the four largest Texas cities have had 232 days over 100 degrees since June 1.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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