Heat in Delaware, July 12 to 19, 1997

The longest and hottest heat wave of the summer of 1997 brought up to 8 straight days of high temperatures of 90 degrees or higher to Delaware along with oppressive humidity and limited rainfall. The heat wave started to end after a strong cold front moved through the region early on the 19th. In spite of lowering humidity levels, high temperatures on the 19th still made it into the 90s across most of central and southern Delaware. The hottest day for most areas was the 15th as high temperatures were around 100 degrees. This was also the day the Pennsylvania-Jersey-Maryland Interconnection (PJM) reported a record usage of 49,822 megawatts in their regional serving area. This surpassed the previous record of 48,524 megawatts set on August 2, 1995. Highest temperatures during this heat wave included 102 degrees in Lewes, 100 degrees in Camden, 99 degrees at the New Castle County Airport and 98 degrees in Bridgeville, Pennyhill and Prices Corner. No widespread heat related injuries were reported. But, the lack of rain continued to stress crops, throughout the state especially in southern parts of New Castle County and northern parts of Kent County. Rainfall totals for July on a county weighted average were below normal throughout the state. The largest deficits were in Kent County where only 70 percent of normal rainfall fell.