I wonder

[Old Mechanic]

If the oil on the surface of the gulf has decreased the evaporation rate of water into the atmosphere, then that might explain what is certainly looking like the hottest summer in eastern Virgina by what could prove to be a large margin.

I have lived here most of my life, and I have never seen temperatures here like we are getting this summer. Many days over 100 degrees, several over 105, and this Sunday the prediction is 109 degrees! Heat index is 115!

Rainfall amounts are low and this place is getting baked.

regards
Mech

[RobertSmalls]

Here's a good read on the effects of an oil slick on a hurricane, but note the illustrated extent of oil-covered waters:

Wunder Blog : Weather Underground

For areas upwind of the oil slick, I'd say it's plausible that you're seeing hotter, drier weather because of it.

I would describe Buffalo's summer so far as "cool and wet, punctuated by a few heat waves". It's 75°F and rainy here, and it looks like I won't need to put the A/C back in the window this week or next.

[Laurentiu]

Another interesting read:

Oil-spill-effect-on-water-temperature

[wagonman76]

We have been having quite a warm summer. Certainly not record breaking but I think it's nice for a change, I've been so sick of the cold and rain. Haven't seen temperatures like this since 2003 which was a good summer too. 9&10 news said you'd have to back to the early 90s to find warm temps in May too.

Looks like everybody else likes it too because going by traffic and campground bookings it's jam packed up here. Every weekend is like a holiday weekend. The last 4 years I've been camping, we pretty much had the campground to ourselves. This year it's more like it was when I was a kid (and summers were hot), the campgrounds were full and you really had to reserve to get a spot.

[Phantom]

Yes oil can effect the rate of evaporation Ask the Van - Illinois Dept. of Physics . In northern Kentucky we have been having lots of rain this spring and summer followed by very hot and humid weeks.