It feels strange given recent summers, but the Baltimore region has avoided temperatures in the 90s for more than two weeks.
At Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, the tally of days topping out in the 80s -- and even the 70s -- is at 16 and counting. The stretch dates back to July 21.
Three days since then have not topped 80 degrees, including Tuesday, which appeared headed for a record high temperature of just 70 degrees before briefly surging to 72 degrees.
It has been rare in recent years to go so long without at least a brief heat wave, but cool spells happen. August 2011 ended with 21 consecutive days below 90 degrees, although the summers of 2011 and 2012 were overall among the hottest summers on record here.
This summer is trending well below those. Last month was the first July since 2009 that didn't hit 100 degrees at BWI.
Cooler-than-average temperatures are forecast to continue through at least mid-August. Average highs this time of year are in the mid-80s.