July 's average U.S. temperature topped 20th-century average by more than 3 degrees . Comment: The high temperatures have contributed to a drought that has battered farmers .
July 's average U.S. temperature topped 20th-century average by more than 3 degrees . The first seven months of 2012 are the warmest since record-keeping started in 1895 , NOAA says . The high temperatures have contributed to a drought that has battered farmers .