Update: Abilene reaches 70 days of 100s but gets quarter-inch rainfall Tuesday
A string of 15 days of 100 degrees or hotter ended Sunday.
But it hit 103 Monday and 101 again Tuesday - which became the 70th day this year with triple digits.
The record is 81, set in 2011.
The bigger news was the afternoon rainfall - 0.27 measured at Abilene Regional Airport. It's the first rain of the month and most since 0.41 fell June 3.
Abilene had a streak of 10 days in July that was interrupted July 21-22. Then, another streak began that carried over until Sunday. Temperatures hit 106 once and 105 four times.
There was a 17-day stretch earlier this year.
After recording a record-tying 27 days of 100 or hotter in July, the all-time record is within reach.
Temperatures were forecast to drop into the 90s this week, but only Sunday has come through so far.
There is a 50% chance of rain Wednesday. The chance drops to 20% Wednesday night but back to 30% for Thursday.
The threat could keep temperatures under 100 under next week, according to the National Weather Service.
August generally in the reverse of July, when temperatures on the average climb to 95. In August, temperatures start there, and gradually drop a few degrees.
In 2011, when the 100s record was set, August had 28 of 31 days at or above 100.
More:The thrill of Sunday's National Ice Cream Day may be the only chill this summer
Abilene now has measured 4.98 inches of precipitation for the year. The city remains more than 10 inches under its average.
Greg Jaklewicz is editor of the Abilene Reporter-News and general columnist. If you appreciate locally driven news, you can support local journalists with a digital subscription to ReporterNews.com.
More:Chill out, Abilene! When it was so cold, we wished it was hot. Now ...
Abilene's 5 hottest days
111 - once, 1943
110 - Eight times, the last July 20 (previous reading that high was July 17, 1978)
109 - 11 times, the last June 12
108 - 12 times, the last June 11
107 - 33 times, the last July 13
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Update: Abilene reaches 70 days of 100s but gets quarter-inch rainfall