00:00July was officially the hottest month ever recorded in the lower 48,
00:03breaking a record that had stood since the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s.
00:07New NOAA data shows the lower 48 averaged 76.9 degrees in July,
00:12narrowly topping the record set in 1936.
00:14And this is part of a bigger trend.
00:16Since 2007 of the 12 calendar months have set new all-time U.S. heat records.
00:21And every calendar month has had one of its two hottest occurrences during that time.
00:26So what fueled this year's heat?
00:28Low snowpack and a lack of rainfall left the ground unusually dry,
00:32helping temperatures climb even higher.
00:33And the heat isn't over.
00:35Our long-range team is forecasting above-average temperatures
00:37across much of the country through at least September.
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