Oklahoma's heat wave broke a national record last month, and the dry, scorching summer continues to break state records.

Last month was not only the hottest July on record in Oklahoma, but the hottest July anywhere in the contiguous 48 states since record-keeping began in 1895, according to the National Climatic Data Center. The average temperature is based on the temperature throughout the day and not just the afternoon high.

Oklahoma's average temperature in July was 88.9 degrees, although some data is still being collected. If that number holds, it would be nearly a full degree higher than the previous record of 88.1 degrees, also set in Oklahoma in 1954, said Gary McManus, associate state climatologist.

Since Oct. 1, 2010, the statewide average precipitation has been 16.73 inches, also the driest on record, and nearly 14 inches below normal. Some parts of southwest Oklahoma have had less than 6 inches of rain during that time, McManus said.