It turns out that the actual high mark on the thermometer at the Maryland Science Center on Wednesday afternoon was 106 degrees F, not 105 as we reported. The higher reading came between the official hourly readings, but it still counts.

The highest temperature ever officially recorded for Baltimore was 107 degrees. That was on July 10, 1936, at the U.S. Customs House in downtown Baltimore. We were close, very close.

Stand by today for the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map, and an update from the National Hurricane Center as they revise their forecast for the current Atlantic hurricane season. Experts at Colorado State University have already reduced their predictions for the number of storms we can expect this season. The NHC is likely to do the same. The peak of the season begins in two weeks and runs into the first weeks of September.  

UPDATE: The new Drought Monitor map shows no changes from last week's. About three quarters of the state remains under moderate to severe drought conditions as measured by streamflow, rainfall and the condition of crops and foliage as measured by satellite. About half the state is in severe drought. Here is the map. And here is the national picture.