Lifeguard Jackson Humes, 17, of Evans City watches swimmers cool off in the EDCO Park pool in July. Local temperatures were higher than average, according to the National Weather Service's Pittsburgh office, but didn't quite match the global climate peak.

July heat set global records, and both Butler County and the Pennsylvania felt a considerable, albeit lesser, burn as well.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently declared July 2019 as the planet's hottest month on record since records began in 1880.

Local temperatures were higher than average, according to the National Weather Service's Pittsburgh office, but didn't quite match the global climate peak.

Butler County specifically doesn't have long-term climate monitoring data available, but NWS meteorologist Michael Brown offered an analysis of Pittsburgh temperature histories as a proxy.

“July for Pittsburgh was 2.4 degrees above normal,” Brown said.

Going back in time through 1874, the month had the 38th highest temperature.

Statewide, this was Pennsylvania's 115th warmest July out of 125 with NWS records.

Planet-wide, Brown said areas of Alaska, Africa, the Middle East, India and the Pacific Ocean were the hot spots inflating averages.

While this region didn't see record highs, temperatures remained above average. In particular, Brown explained, nightly lows tended to stay in the 70s all month, while lows such as 62 or 63 are more typical.

The Pittsburgh region saw temperature spikes July 2 and July 20.

The July 20 heatwave brought high energy usage, according to a PJM spokesman. PJM is a 13-state grid operator of which companies such as West Penn Power are members.

On July 19, a Friday, PJM's system hit its high for the year at 152,000 megawatts.

A PJM news release notes that “heavy electricity demand continued through Saturday, peaking past 150,000 MW, a level that likely breaks PJM's all-time high for a weekend day, when there is less commercial and industrial activity than a typical weekday.”

So, how's August looking? Brown said the month has brought temperatures about 1.6 degrees above average so far to the Pittsburgh region.

That may soon change. Within the next week, daily temperatures are expected to drop considerably, Brown said, possibly to daily highs in the mid-to-low 70s and lows in the 50s.

The cool down is forecast to begin Thursday.

“It's going to be a gorgeous weekend,” Brown said.