Weather Facts: Triple digit facts

Here we are in mid-July and we haven't been talking about 100 degree temps that much. Zack Shields looks at if that's normal and if it's a trend for the rest of the summer.

In a normal summer, we get 12 100 degree days with the first one happening during the second week of July. The last one normally occurs late in August. Six of the last seven summers the first 100 degree day happened before July 15.

Lately most of the summers have featured way above average 100 degree days. The type of summer weather all depends on the number of rain events and soil moisture in the spring.

If we experience a wet spring expect a mild summer. If it stays dry, brace yourself for a very hot summer like the record breaking number we had 2011.

The wet ground and lush vegetation will absorb more of the sun's energy keeping temperatures tame and below normal.

If we experience less rain in spring and summer and go into a drought, the dry ground and lack of vegetation will allow the sun's energy to radiate even more heat allowing the temperatures to soar. So if the heavy rain stays away the next few weeks, the triple digit heat will begin to show up.

The soil is still somewhat moist, the vegetation is thriving and the August rain outlook shows slightly wetter than average. With all the factors in place we should experience a normal summer with 10 to 15 100º days.

If you have a weather question feel free to email Zack at weather@fox7.com or check him out on Twitter and Facebook.