Excessive Heat — Vanderburgh, Indiana

2012-07-01 to 2012-07-08 · Vanderburgh, Indiana

Wider weather episode

The historic heat wave that began in late June continued into July. This heat was comparable to the intense heat experienced in the 1930's. The high temperature exceeded 100 degrees on 10 out of 11 days going back to June 28 and ending on July 8. At Evansville, the high of 107 degrees on the 5th was one degree shy of the all-time highest temperature in 115 years of records at Evansville. The all-time record of 108 degrees was set on July 13, 1936. Daily high temperature records were broken on five of the first six days of the month. New daily records were 105 degrees on the 1st, 103 on the 2nd, 103 on the 4th, 107 on the 5th, and 104 on the 6th. From the 1st to the 6th, humidity levels were not especially high due to the ongoing drought, so heat index values were close to the actual temperature. Higher humidity on the 7th and 8th raised peak heat index values to between 109 and 115 degrees. There were three fatalities due to the heat. An elderly couple died of heat exhaustion inside their mobile home in Evansville. The air conditioner outside the home was not working. The temperature was measured at 108 degrees inside the home when they were found. A pet bird also died. The third fatality occurred outdoors. A 51-year-old man was found dead along railroad tracks. Strong high pressure aloft remained anchored over the middle part of the country through the first week of July.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 393064. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.