Record streak of 90-degree days ends at 23 in central Indiana

It's 23 skidoo for central Indiana's streak of 90-degree temperatures.

With a Tuesday high hitting "only" 89 degrees, a record-breaking hot streak that begin July 17 ended officially on Aug. 8.

That was Monday afternoon, when central Indiana's record heat wave maxed out at 23 straight days of 90 degrees or higher.

The National Weather Service (NWS) says the official temperature at Indianapolis International Airport Monday hit 90 degrees shortly after 1 p.m., and by 2 p.m., it had reached 91.

The NWS said Tuesday's temperature repeatedly bounced between 88 and 89 as clouds came and went.

The last time the area had such a lengthy heat wave was 75 years ago, when it recorded 19 straight days at 90 or above in August 1936.

The slang phrase "23 skidoo" generally refers to taking advantage of an opportunity to leave, that is "getting (out) while the getting's good." That may be the case with the 90-degree days, but not so with the overall summer heat.

Another record streak will continue with Tuesday marking the 39th straight day of 85 degrees or hotter temperatures being recorded in central Indiana. Also the streak of 80-degree days -- at 44 days -- may also be in jeopardy. That streak could fall as early as today and more likely this weekend when clouds and rain are forecast.

Monday's rain dumped up to two inches of rain in some areas of central Indiana, but many spots are still struggling with drought.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says last month's heat wave led to the fourth warmest July on record for the United States.

Persistent, scorching heat in the central and eastern regions of the U.S. shattered long-standing daily and monthly temperature records last month, the NOAA said.

The heat exacerbated drought conditions, resulting in the largest "exceptional" drought footprint in the 12-year history of the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The average U.S. temperature in July was 77.0 degrees F, which is 2.7 degrees F above the long-term (1901-2000) average. Precipitation, averaged across the nation, was 2.46 inches. This was 0.32 inch below the long-term average, with large variability between regions.