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Number of Days 100(F) or above in the High Plains Region
Author: Joseph Brum - High Plains Regional Climate Center
Published: 2012-09-04 17:01:54
Updated: 2012-09-21 13:54:59
As we all know this summer has seen some record heat. To put the heat into perspective we have compiled a list of the number of days the high temperature was 100(F) or greater for this year. From our list of 25 stations all but one, Williston, ND, was above the average number of days of 100(F) or greater. Four of the 25 stations broke or tied the record for the number of days 100(F) or greater, including Denver, CO which had 13 days 100(F) or greater. Dodge City, KS had 24 days more than normal with temperatures of 100(F) or greater, totaling 35 for the year. Yearly totals in Salina, KS and Goodland, KS followed suit with 37 and 27 days respectively. In Nebraska, North Platte had a total of 23 days of temperatures of 100(F) or greater, about 19 days more this year than normal. As you can see from the chart below, many records from the dust bowl years of 1934 and 1936 are still intact, showing just how hot those years actually were.
Check out the chart below to see how days your area had with temperatures 100(F) or greater. (Averages based on period of record)
| Location | # of Days 100(F)+ for 2012 | Average # of Days 100(F)+ | Record or Previous Record (Days) / Year | Period of Record |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 3* | 0.1 | 1 / 2003 | 1894-2012 |
| Denver, CO | 13 | 0.6 | 7 / 2005 | 1872-2012 |
| Grand Junction, CO | 12 | 4.0 | 22 / 2002 | 1893-2012 |
| Pueblo, CO | 28** | 5.1 | 24 / 2002 | 1888-2012 |
| Concordia, KS | 18 | 9.0 | 46 / 1936 | 1885-2012 |
| Dodge City, KS | 35 | 10.8 | 54 / 2011 | 1874-2012 |
| Goodland, KS | 27 | 7.0 | 40 / 1936 | 1895-2012 |
| Salina, KS | 37 | 14.6 | 45 / 1954 | 1948-2012 |
| Topeka, KS | 25 | 7.1 | 59 / 1936 | 1887-2012 |
| Wichita, KS | 36 | 11.2 | 53 / 2011 | 1888-2012 |
| Grand Island, NE | 12 | 7.4 | 47 / 1934 | 1895-2012 |
| Lincoln, NE | 16 | 6.1 | 41 / 1936 | 1887-2012 |
| Norfolk, NE | 13 | 3.9 | 36 / 1936 | 1893-2012 |
| North Platte, NE | 23 | 3.6 | 29 / 1936 | 1874-2012 |
| Omaha, NE | 11 | 2.9 | 30 / 1936 | 1871-2012 |
| Scottsbluff, NE | 29 | 4.6 | 24 / 1936 | 1893-2012 |
| Valentine, NE | 27 | 5.4 | 28 / 1936 | 1889-2012 |
| Bismarck, ND | 4 | 1.9 | 14 / 1936 | 1874-2012 |
| Fargo, ND | 1 | 0.7 | 10 / 1936 | 1881-2012 |
| Williston, ND | 1 | 1.8 | 15 / 1988 | 1894-2012 |
| Huron, SD | 8 | 3.3 | 29 / 1936 | 1881-2012 |
| Rapid City, SD | 13 | 4.3 | 16 / 1988 | 1942-2012 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 9 | 1.9 | 21 / 1936 | 1893-2012 |
| Casper, WY | 3 | 0.7 | 8 / 2006 | 1939-2012 |
| Sheridan, WY | 7 | 2.1 | 15 / 1983 | 1907-2012 |
* Tied 1954 ** Tied 2003 New/Tied Records in BOLD