In the final standings, yesterday was the hottest day in 15 years, barely out-roasted by July 15, 1995, and the fourth-warmest ever.
The high on both those days was 103, but the low yesterday officially was 80 at 11:59 p.m., compared with 81 on July 15, 1995.
Thus, yesterday's average temperature, 91.5 at Philadelphia International Airport was a shade lower than the 92 of its 1995 rival.
In fairness, at the time the airport thermometer was known to be running a bit hot. It was replaced by an automated observing system in December 1995.
Overall, yesterday was the fourth-warmest day ever in Philadelphia,. The king remains Aug. 7, 1918, when it went up to 106, and the average was 94.