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Yes, it has been hot this August; Could be second hottest August on record in metro Detroit

Posted at 2:12 PM, Aug 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-29 14:12:58-04

If you think it's been hot even for August, you're absolutely right!

When we close the books on August 2016 this Wednesday, we will probably end up with the second hottest August on record in metro Detroit. Records go back to 1874.

Nearly every day has been at least a bit warmer than average, including seven days with sizzling high temperatures of 90 degrees or hotter.

The hottest day of the summer was our 98-degree high on July 23, but we touched 96 on August 10.

Our hottest August ever recorded in Detroit was in 1995, with an average temperature of 77.1 degrees. With three days left, there is still some uncertainty, but this month will probably have an an average temperature just under 77 degrees. We get that number each day by averaging the high temperature and the lowest temperature as measured at Metro Airport in Romulus.

Along with the high heat, with has been with us most of the summer, August brought us a big change from the very dry conditions that parched us earlier in the summer. We've already had more than five and a half inches of rain in August, which is more than twice the average for the month. Drought conditions have been erased in most of the metro Detroit area.

We could get at least a little more rain before a cold front comes through here on Wednesday, ushering in dry, cooler than average conditions for the first few days of September. But early indications are we'll warm right back up to above average levels before the long Labor Day holiday weekend is through. Grab the shades and firm up those outdoor plans now.

Here's the latest on your full forecast: wxyz.com/weather