The United States has seen the hottest first half of the  year in 118 years. The recent heat wave that took hold of the country helped set this record.

Twenty-eight states, including Texas, also set records for the hottest January through June period on record.

For many, it may seem like last year's extreme heat would have been enough to set a record like this, but according to KTXS Chief Meteorologist, Mark Rowlett, that's not the case.

He said that while we aren't experiencing the extreme high temperatures of last year, we've still been consistently above average in the thermometer department.

This is partly due to the fact that the jet stream that normally brings us cooler winters has been displaced well to our north, allowing for a very warm winter early in the year.

Last year's heat did help set the record for the warmest 12-month period, between July 2011 and June 2012, both as a state and a nation.

Much of the nation is starting to see even more effects from the heat as a record 56 percent of the country experiences some stage of drought.

the Big Country area does add to that percentage but with the rain seen lately, things have continued to improve.