Hot Enough for Ya? In August, It Was

Raleigh, N.C. — An unrelenting heat wave that gripped North Carolina for several weeks also rewrote the Triangle's weather records.

This August now ranks as the hottest month on record in the Triangle, with an average temperature of 84.1 degrees at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Previously, the hottest month was July 1993, with an average temperature of 82.5 degrees. The hottest August until now was in 1995, with an average temperature of 80.6 degrees.

"That is not breaking a record, that is an obliteration, a shattering of a record," WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel said. "This was an absolutely incredible occurrence."

The month also set records for the number of 90-degree days, with 30, beating the record of 25 90-degree days in July 2005.

The heat has been coupled with a worsening drought that has forced many area cities to enact water restrictions to conserve available drinking water.

Holly Springs likely will join the list of municipalities with water restrictions next week, officials said. The Town Council is expected to implement tougher limits beginning Sept. 6.

Residents with odd-number addresses would be allowed to water only on Tuesdays from midnight to 10 a.m. Those with even-number addresses could water only on Wednesdays from midnight to 10 a.m.

Washing cars and boats at home would be restricted to weekends, but vehicle owners could use commercial car washes throughout the week.

Also, the Fayetteville Public Works Commission urged customers Friday to conserve water voluntarily by reducing the amount of outdoor watering and cutting back on washing cars and filling pools and fountains.