First 6 months of 2012: Hottest. Six months. Ever.

In news that's likely not shocking to a a large number of Americans, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tells us that the first six months of 2012 were the hottest on record for the 48 contiguous U.S. states.

The average temperature was 52.9 degrees Fahrenheit, or 4.5 degrees above average, according to the NOAA.

Additionally, the 12 months ending on June 30th was the warmest 12-month period of any on record.

The first half of the year was also drier than normal, with precipitation totals 1.62 inches below average.

The NOAA's report comes in the wake of a heat wave that's been blamed for at least 30 deaths and broke more than 3,000 temperature records in July alone.