After the poor weather here at Montecucco, I thought that I would
point to the bigger picture.

http://www.npr.org/2011/07/25/138601271/weather-warnings-for-a-climate-changed-planet

What makes this month's heat wave in the U.S. unusual - different
from other heat waves?

Ms. HEIDI CULLEN (Research Scientist, Climate Central): I think what's really
special about this heat wave is just the sheer size and scope of it. I mean, it
basically at one point it was affecting more than 140 million people here in the
U.S. And so it's massive in size. It's been a long heat wave and so in many
respects this is exactly the kind of thing we can expect to see a lot more of as
the planet warms up.

GROSS: Before we get to why you think this is a result of climate change, which
is, I think, what you're saying, what are some of the records that this month's
heat wave has set so far? And I'll say, we're recording this on Friday, July
22nd. So...

Ms. CULLEN: Yeah. So we could see even more records set today. But, you know,
for example, Wichita Falls, Texas had over 54 days of 100 plus temperatures, 27
consecutive days reaching at least 100. Tyler, Texas, we saw 32 days this year
of 100 degree readings. So, I mean, it's just that the magnitude and the length
of what we're seeing here - Mobile, Alabama, 50 consecutive 90-degree days. So
it has just been excruciatingly long period of hot weather.

And I think what's really interesting is that it's one of these things where you
really get the sense that everything is connected. Because the heat is
remarkable, but the other thing that's really special about this heat wave is
the fact that the water vapor, the moisture is so high. And that actually ties
straight back to the spring and when we had, you know, epic flooding and the
fact that, you know, all of this floodwater that's been, you know, seeped out
into the ground, these high temperatures, kind of like a blast furnace, is
evaporating that moisture and that's leading to these really high dew points and
these high overnight temperatures.