The 'Thunder Balk' Heard 'Round The Ballpark

July's forecast is nearly a carbon copy of what much of the United States experienced in June, with a split between hotter-than-average conditions in the western and northern U.S., and the South escaping the worst of summer's searing heat.

The hottest temperatures compared to July's average are expected from portions of the Northwest to the Northern Plains and upper Midwest, according to the latest outlook from The Weather Company, an IBM Business. Much of the Northeast is also forecast to see above-average temperatures.

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A broad area from Texas into the Gulf Coast states and Southeast could see temperatures near average or cooler for July. But since it's midsummer, the South's typical high humidity will still make temperatures feel uncomfortable.

This general weather pattern is similar to what the U.S. has experienced in June.

Many cities from New England to the upper Midwest, Northern Plains and West have had one of their hottest Junes on record. This was capped off by all-time record heat in the Northwest to end the month.

(MORE: Northwest Heat Shatters Records)

You can see June's topsy-turvy temperature pattern in the analysis below. Yellow and orange areas had above-average temperatures June 1 through 28, while much of the South was near average, as depicted in white.

The reason for this upside-down temperature pattern is related to how the atmosphere is behaving in the northern polar region.

"The lower-than-normal heights found at polar latitudes [are] associated with a stronger and northward-displaced jet stream that allows anomalous heat to become established across northern sections of [the] U.S., Europe and Asia. Conversely, cooler and wetter conditions are found south of the ridging in parts of the southern U.S.," said Dr. Todd Crawford, chief meteorologist with The Weather Company.

The regions surrounding the North Pole have seen a weather pattern where troughing in the middle portions of the atmosphere has dominated, which is having an impact on the weather we are experiencing in the lower latitudes.

Typical July Highs

July is the warmest month of the year across much of the country.

This includes a great deal of the central Rockies to the central Plains, upper Midwest, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and East. Highs typically peak in early to mid-July in most of the Midwest and East, while highs peak later, usually in late July or August, in Maine, Florida and in the northern Plains and Rockies.

High temperatures peak in the 80s and 90s across most of the country, while parts of the Pacific Northwest, upper Midwest and border regions of the Northeast reach the 70s for highs.

Parts of the Desert Southwest continue to see highs in the 100s, with highs peaking in early to mid-July.

Any heat waves that occur this time of the year could increase these highs by 15 to 25 degrees.

Average overnight lows are often in the 70s across much of the South and Southwest, while the Northeast, Midwest, Plains and West see lows in the 50s and 60s.

Both warm afternoon highs and overnight low temperatures can be deadly this time of the year. Seek locations with fans or air conditioning and drink plenty of water if you feel warm.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.