With more 100-degree days in the forecast, we put the heat in perspective
It's been historically hot in St. Louis in 2012 — but what does that mean, exactly?
There have been a few especially hot days in our city's past. Using hourly weather data compiled by the National Weather Service, we found the maximum air temperature (not heat index) recorded during any given hour in St. Louis, and they all happened on a handful of dates in July.
Eight out of a possible 24 were set or tied this year. The same number of records were set or tied in 1954. To see how this year compares with years past, follow the red-shaded dots (July 24-26) and the orange-shaded dots (July 6-7) down the chart as it progresses throughout the day.

