June 2010 at Richmond International Airport was officially the hottest on record with an average temperature of 81.1 degrees, beating the old record from 1943 of 79.2 degrees. The typical average temperature in June is 74.3 degrees. Remember, the average temperature is a balance of each day's high and low temperatures. Not only did we have very hot afternoons with 19 days out of the month at 90 degrees or hotter, but we also had warm overnight temperatures in the 70's 19 times out of 30. If this trend continues, we are on track to become the record hottest Summer (June-July-August) on record, which is currently from 1900 with an average temperature of 79.6 degrees.
In addition to the heat, we were very dry all month. In fact, nearly all of our year-to-date rainfall deficit is a result of our lack of rainfall in June (we're now down 3.68" for the year). Officially at RIC, we recorded 0.82" for the month of June. This is the 2nd driest June ever. The driest was in 1980 with a meager 0.38" recorded. Most of the state is now in the beginnings of a drought with "abnormally dry" conditions reported this week.
