Temperatures in July broke heat records set here more than 135 years ago, and weather officials are predicting above normal temperatures will continue this month.

Meteorologist Allen Randall of the National Weather Service in Wilmington said three heat records were broken in the month of July and another was tied.

“We do break records usually every season,” Randall said. “But it’s unusual to have that many in a string.”

On July 5, a new record high of 99 degrees was set — the previous record was 98 degrees in 1988. On July 6 and July 7, a record high of 104 degrees was set — the previous high temperatures were 98 degrees on July 6, 1874 and 103 degrees on July 7, 1874.

The average temperature throughout July was 81.2 — the normal value is 75.9, Randall said. During July, temperatures reach or exceed 90 degrees 21 times and four times the temperature soared past 100 degrees.

“We usually get 6.2 days (of 90-degree heat) and we got 21; that’s more than three times the amount,” Randall said.

Overall, last month was the sixth hottest July on record. The hottest July was in 1901 when the average temperature was 82.3 degrees, Randall said.

Captain Todd Day of Middletown Fire said there were at least four incidents during the two-week period at the beginning of July when medics attributed the medical problem to the heat. Day said there are three levels of heat-related emergencies — heat cramping, heat exhaustion and the most serious being heat stroke.

“Elderly are more susceptible, especially those without air conditioning and with compromised health,” Day said, as well as homeless people, small children and athletes training outside. “Having to work or having to play with that type of weather, you need to pay attention. Don’t just ‘tough it out.’”

Randall said the weather service’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting above normal temperatures for the month of August. However, Randall said there’s “equal chance for precipitation,” which means there’s no strong signal of whether it will be an exceptionally dry or wet month.

The region is still experiencing drought conditions, though not as severe as parts of Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. Rainfall for the month of July was 1.83 inches — a normal July brings 3.76 inches of rain.