July the Hottest Month Ever Recorded in Oklahoma

Keep your AC cranking and water at your side, Oklahoma. The brutal heat and ongoing drought is showing no signs of stopping. The month of July became the hottest month ever on record in Oklahoma. The average temperature was 89.1 degrees, breaking the previous record of 88.1 degrees set in July 1954. As for rainfall, the count was 0.70 inches, more than 2 inches below normal. This resulted in July being the fourth driest July on record.

The Oklahoma heat is showing no signs of stopping anytime soon. The National Weather Service expects highs around 110 degrees for much of the state this week. The high temperatures have resulted in increased electric and water bills and a threat of wildfires across the state.

As of today, there have been at least 12 heat-related deaths in Oklahoma. There are another 10 deaths that are possibly heat-related and are pending autopsies.

We previously blogged about surviving the hot weather during summer months. Heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and heat cramps are serious heat-related illnesses that can affect you during extreme heat. To significantly decrease the risks of being affected by a heat-related illness, you should institute the following preventative measures.

• Recognize the early signs of dehydration.
• Let your body adapt to a hot environment. Slowly acclimate yourself to exercise in the first 2 weeks.
• Stay hydrated.
• Always have fluids around when working out.
• Drink even when you are not thirsty.
• Favor sports drinks over water as carbohydrates fuel muscle and sodium encourages voluntary drinking and promotes hydration.
• Drink fluids, do not pour them over you.
• Exercise in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler.
• Dress for the weather.
• Take breaks .