Muskegon (WZZM) -
July 2012 was a record-breaking month in many respects as temperatures were well-above average. Rainfall was sparse during the first few weeks but beneficial rains arrived later in the month.
Temperatures in July averaged 77.6°F, 6.5°F above average and 2.4°F warmer than last year (75.2°F), making it the warmest July on record and the warmest month on record, breaking the previous record of 76.0°F set in 1955. Twenty-eight days were warmer than usual, two were cooler and one was considered average. The highest temperature occurred on July 6 with 99°F while the lowest temperature occurred on July 29 with 53°F.
Temperature records (previous record/year):
- July 4: record high minimum 79°F; (78°F in 1897).
- July 6: record high 99°F; (96°F in 1988).
- July 7: record high minimum 74°F; (72°F in 1938 and 2010).
- July 17: record high 95°F; (tied with 1901); record high minimum 75°F (tied with 1986).
- July 18: record high 92°F; (91°F in 1946).
- July 23: record high minimum 76F; (75°F set in 1987).
- The average daily high was 88.00°F, making it the warmest on record by breaking the record set in July 1955 (81.10°F).
- The average daily low was 67.29°, making it the warmest on record by breaking the record set in July 2012 (67.03°F).
- July 6 high of 99°F tied for the hottest temperature on record with July 30, 1913 and August 3, 1964.
- The first seven months of 2012 - January through July, are the warmest on record with an average of 52.9°F, ahead of 1998 (49.5°F).
Precipitation was below average last month with 2.86", 0.49" less than usual and 1.44" less than last year (4.30"). There were six days with measurable precipitation which is three less than usual (9). Thunderstorms were reported on six days: July 3, 18, 25, 26, 30, and 31.
There were twenty-six clear days - fifteen more than average (11), four partly cloudy days - seven fewer than usual (11), and one cloudy day - eight fewer than average (9).