This probably comes as no surprise: Federal scientists say July was the hottest month recorded in the Lower 48 states, breaking a record set during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. And even less a surprise: The U.S. this year keeps setting records for weather extremes, based on precise calculations that include drought, heavy rainfall, unusual temperatures and storms. The average temperature last month was 77.6 degrees. That breaks the old record from July 1936 of 77.4, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Records go back to 1895. “It’s a pretty significant increase over the last record,” said climate scientist Jake Crouch of NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. In the past, skeptics of global warming have pointed to the Dust Bowl to argue that recent heat isn’t unprecedented. But Crouch said this shows that the current year “is out and beyond those Dust Bowl years. We’re rivaling and beating them consistently from month to month”/Associated Press. More here. (AP file photo: The exposed bottom of the Mississippi River is baked and cracked by extreme heat and lack of rain, near St. Louis)

Question: Do you attribute the unprecedented heat besetting much of the country, to global warming?

Santa in the summer? Retailers are pumping still more energy this year into trying to get shoppers to loosen their purse strings early for Christmas with sparkly ornaments, holiday music and special prices. In July. Target Corp. is entering the game for the first time, with a one-day online sale starting Friday on 500 items from clothing to Blu-ray disc players that’s modeled after sales typically held Thanksgiving weekend. And Sears and Toys R Us are dramatically promoting “Christmas in July” online based on the success they saw in last year’s efforts/Associated Press. More here. (H/T: Liz via Facebook)

Question: Are you ready to begin Christmas shopping?