The average global temperature over land and ocean surfaces last month tied was the all-time fourth highest readings for the month of July since record keeping began in 1880.

Only July temperatures in 2005, 2010 and 1998 were warmer.

As well, say climate scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, last July marked the 38th consecutive July and 353rd consecutive month with a global temperature above the average for the entire 20th century, 60.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

The last time global temperatures for July came in at below average was in 1976 and the last below-average global temperature for any month happened in February 1985.

The world's oceans had their warmest July on record this year, tying July 2009.

Meanwhile, the average temperature for the contiguous United States in July was in fact 73.3°F, or 0.3°F below the 20th century average for the nation, dating back to 1895.

July 2014 was actually the coolest July in the lower 48 states since 2009 -- and the month's national precipitation total this year was 2.55 inches, 0.23 inches below the 20th century average, ranking as the 26th driest July on record.

Despite recent weather patterns that offered some drought relief in the Central and Southern Plains, long-term drought conditions will continue to impact water resources and agriculture, particularly in the West and Great Plains, according to data from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center.

The risk of wildfires will also grow throughout the West, says the latest statistics from the United State Drought Monitor program developed through a partnership between NOAA, United States Department of Agriculture and National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

NOAA's Climate Prediction Center suggests a 65 percent chance this year of an El Niño system developing this upcoming autumn or winter.

Then, in the Southwest region, "southerly, moist winds associated with the seasonal monsoon could increase the chances of precipitation during the remainder of the summer. Heavy precipitation can lead to localized flash flooding as well as more widespread short-term drought relief," said the latest NOAA climate predictions.