A look back in time 34 years ago at the Deseret News for the month of July 1960 reveals many parallels with the summer heat wave of July 1994.
"Utah heat topples weather records" was the headline from the July 21, 1960, Deseret News. Compare with this year's July 29 headline - "Sizzling heat sets record for duration."July was indeed very hot in 1960, with 13 days of 100-degree temperatures or higher and no daily maximum readings below 90.
And there's not much relief in sight for July of 1994, as temperatures are expected to hover near 100 today and Sunday. But there is a small chance of showers or thunderstorms by Monday.
William J. Alder, meteorologist in charge of the Salt Lake office of the National Weather Service, agreed there are many similarities between July 1960 and July 1994.
While 1994 has had the hottest-ever stretch of consecutive days July 26-28, there has not been a complete monthly stretch of 90-plus degree temperatures this year. For example, on July 6, Salt Lake City had a high of only 73 - a record low maximum temperature for the date. Since July 8 though, Salt Lake City has been 90 degrees or hotter every day, according to Alder.
The biggest weather headline for July 1960 read "Mercury climbs to 107 to smash all records." At 3:05 p.m. on July 26, 1960, the temperature at the Salt Lake Airport reached that all-time high. That heat killed 4,000 turkeys on a Manti farm that day.
Extremely dry conditions in 1960 also created many Utah fire restrictions similar to those in effect today. "Heat, lack of rainfall parch ranges, crops" a headline from July 27, 1960, read.
Alder said extremely hot and dry conditions go hand-in-hand as the months of July in both 1960 and 1994 prove.
Salt Lake City reported record water usage and Tooele had a dangerously low water supply on hand by month's end in 1960. "Lack of rainfall, heat brings water shortage" was a headline from late July 1960.
July also had its share of gusty winds and the winds on July 29, 1960, were reported to be noisy, but provided no relief from the heat or dry conditions. In fact, they fanned the area's forest fires.
The only good weather news for July 1960 came in the last day of the month's closing hours when a rainstorm finally provided some moisture - the first since June 19 of that year. Two-hundredths of an inch of moisture was recorded just before midnight on July 31, 1960. By the morning of Aug. 1, the storm had produced a quarter-inch of water in Salt Lake City and over half an inch at Tooele - ending its water reservoir crisis.
On Aug, 2, 1960, the mercury cooled to only 89 degrees - the first sub-90 maximum reading in 38 days. However, the next day the temperature hit 102.
How will July 1994 end up? Triple-digit readings are likely for Saturday, but they may ease Sunday. More tropical moisture could also move into the area late in the weekend, boosting chances of some thunderstorm precipitation before the month's end.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Hot prices, too
July 1960 was a scorcher - just like July 1994. But consumer prices weren't anything alike.
For example, in 1960:
- Hamburgers sold for 15 cents.
- Tire prices ranged from $10.45 to $13.45.
- Women's high-fashion swimsuits were selling for $4.
- Men's summer shorts went for $2.99.
- Two-speed portable air coolers sold for $29.88.
- "Pollyanna," "Operation Petticoat" and "The Last Days of Pompeii" were the new movies playing.
- Duke Ellington and Johnny Cash were performing at Lagoon.