Rising temperatures extend record year: govt

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Temperatures will average above normal in most of the United States in August, extending what has been the warmest year on record so far, the U.S.

National Weather Service

National Weather Service said on Thursday.

"We've had record average warmth in 2006, and the outlook for August is above-normal for much of the country," said Edward O'Lenic, meteorologist for the NWS.

The heat in August will be focused on the southern and central parts of the country, with temperatures well-above normal over eastern Texas, according to the monthly forecast.