Just How Warm Has It Been?

So exactly how hot has it been?

We all know that it has been a warm summer thus far across much of the Northern Plains, but how does this year, so far, compare to previous years? Below is a table that shows what the average temperature has been so far this year (January 1 through July 15) and the associated record.

Site	1/1/12-7/15/12 average temp (ranking)	Record average temp, or next closest year
Aberdeen	47.0 degrees (2)	47.2 degrees; 1931
Mobridge	46.9 degrees (2)	47.6 degrees; 2006
Pierre	49.6 degrees (1)	49.1 degrees; 1981
Watertown	46.5 degrees (2)	47.6 degrees; 1987
Sisseton	47.2 degrees (1)	44.2 degrees; 2006
Wheaton	45.7 degrees (1)	45.1 degrees; 1990
Murdo	51.2 degrees (1)	49.7 degrees; 1976

Additionally, we are in what is typically the warmest time of the year. Below is a table that shows what the normal average temperature is through July 15^th, what the current average temperature is through the 15^th, and what the record average temperature is through the 15^th.

Site	Normal Average Temp (7/1 through 7/15)	Current Average Temp (departure from normal)	Record Average Temp (7/1 through 7/15)
Aberdeen	70.8 degrees	77.3 degrees (+6.5)	87.3 degrees (1936)
Mobridge	71.9 degrees	77.7 degrees (+5.8)	89.4 degrees (1936)
Pierre	74.4 degrees	79.8 degrees (+5.4)	89.1 degrees (1936)
Watertown	70.8 degrees	76.8 degrees (+6.0)	83.4 degrees (1936)
Sisseton	70.8 degrees	76.3 degrees (+5.5)	84.6 degrees (1936)
Wheaton	72.6 degrees	76.6 degrees (+4.0)	79.1 degrees (1957)
Murdo	75.7 degrees	81.3 degrees (+5.6)	82.4 degrees (1925)

Given that the latest 8 to 14 day outlook calls for above normal temperatures to continue through the end of July, odds are that the record or near record average temperatures for the year to date are only going to get warmer.