Hobart is having its warmest July on record, if this week's forecast maximum temperatures come true, according to weatherzone.com.au The Tasmanian capital has been averaging close to 14 degrees so far this month, more than two above the long-term average maximum of 11.6. The previous record for warmest July (in terms of maximum temperatures) was 13.7 degrees, set in 2002, 1993 and 1988. This unusually warm July can be put down to a distinct lack of strong cold fronts bringing cold days - it has exceeded the average every day so far. The lowest maximum has been 11.7 degrees. In the 129-year history of the Hobart site there have only been two previous Julys in which the lowest maximum has been as high as 10 degrees, 10.4 in 2001 and 10.2 in 1930. It is highly likely that this will be a record warm July given that the next significant cold change is not due to arrive until early next month. July 2010 has also been a very dry one, only about five millimetres so far, and potentially the driest in 30 to 40 years.