a drought and 100 degree temps in the heartland combined is not normal...
There is no “normal”, there is only weather. If you want predictable, move to California. Relax bro. :-)
Our weathermen here in KC are seeing similiarities to the summer of 1980. We topped out at 102 today and 105 is expected tomorrow. No rain in the forecast through at least July 7th and we’ve had less than 3 inches of rain since May 1st. I noticed today that the shingle oak was dropping immature acorns; it’s going to be a rough winter for critters looking for forage.
The High pressure system that normally bakes the Southwest is positioned farther east for this time of year (due in part to the continued troughs along the west coast). The Midwest bakes while here in California...we are feeling great. Once the High retrogrades back to the west and becomes a “four corners High”...California will finally get some of the summer weather. Normally, we will have had several 100+ days, but where I live...we have not had one day that has been over 98° this year.