July was the third hottest July in the past 116 years

Yes, July was hot in Decorah.

But Decorah weather observer Richard Bernatz has some figures to back up that statement.  Bernatz has just released the July 2012 Decorah Weather Summary.  It shows temperatures averaged 79 degrees in Decorah in July.

Only two Julys in Decorah have been hotter since 1894--the summer of 1936, when the temperature averaged 79.9 degrees, and July of 1901, when the temperature averaged 80.4 degrees.

Decorah had above average high temperatures on 28 out of the 31 days in July.  But despite that, no record high temperatures were recorded.

Bernatz says Decorah received nearly 1 inch of rain July 19th, which led to a monthly precipitation total of 1.55 inches--2.52 inches less than average.  Decorah has a "precipitation deficit" of 6.32 inches over the last 12 months.