Weather scientists: August was hot

Here’s the information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climatic Data Center here in Asheville:

This June-August 2008 summer season was the 22^nd warmest on record for the contiguous United States, according to an analysis by NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. Also, last month ended as the 39^th warmest August for the contiguous United States, based on records dating back to 1895.

The average summer temperature of 72.7 degrees F is 0.8 degree F above the 20^th century average, based on preliminary data. The average August temperature was 73.2 degrees F, which is 0.4 degree above average.