On what was the eighteenth consecutive day of temperatures at or above 100˚ in the summer of 1980, the scorching heat was really taking a toll on mid-Missouri.

It would get even hotter in Columbia during that July of 1980, though, hitting 111˚ on the 30th.

They say history repeats itself, and with the temperature in Columbia expected to be in the 90s on July 1, 2023, that might be true. What will the rest of July bring?

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.

Photo credit: Jaroslaw Kwoczola, Unsplash