Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE — Wednesday could determine if Utah breaks the record for the hottest July.
To break the record, Utah must hit 93 degrees, making it the the hottest July on record for the state. So far, July 2007 is the hottest on record, but Utah's on the path to beat that. For the month, Utah has had had 17 days in the triple digits.
Although Utah likely won't hit the 100 degree mark on Wednesday, the temperature could still have a major impact.
"If we get to a certain point we're going to tie or even break the record for the hottest July on record," said KSL meteorologist Grant Weyman.
The heat this year has been affecting just about everyone and everything, from farmers and ranchers, to animals and adventurers. Likely your power bill has been affected, too.
Rocky Mountain Power spokesman Dave Eckelsen said Utah is using 36 percent more power during the summer than the off season. He said electricity is very sensitive to heat, and most of the bills this time of year is coming from air conditioning and refrigerators.
Eckelsen said the peak hours are 5 to 6 p.m. To cut back on your bill, that's the time to do it.
Rocky Mountain Power also said as of the first of the month, the Wasatch Front has set a record for the most power used during the summer, and July will push that record even higher.
Jess Gomez at Intermountain Medical Center said that over the last couple weeks he's seen a major increase in people coming in with heat-related illness. But there are a few items that will help protect you in heat: water, sunscreen, a hat or extra shirt and non-perishable snacks.
Additionally, the Utah Highway Patrol is reminding people not to leave children or pets in the car.
