The heat is upon us.
All those people who said there is nothing to this global warming thing better start singing a different tune. We’ve seen what the climate crisis has done to the planet so far this year. Why. Just in the United States through the month of May, we’ve had more than 800 tornadoes this year. That figure is WAY up from years past.
But hot temperatures will be another bane. We are going to be in for it with energy crunches due to the heat. And drought.
So. If you are looking to stay away from the hottest places in the country, I’m here to help.
Whenever the subject of hot places comes up, we think about Death Valley. And it is true. Death Valley is one of the hottest places on Earth. With a record high of 134 degrees Fahrenheit (56.7 degrees Celsius), the California National Park is positively sweltering.
But here is the thing. It is not even one of the top 10 hottest states in the U.S.
Many different organizations keep track of this data. But, for the article I read, they used Stacker’s Research findings based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information data.
They took the average temperatures for 2023 — the “warmest year in the modern temperature record,” according to NOAA — the study compares them to the averages from 1901 to 2000.
So here they are. The Hottest U.S. States, in descending order.
10. Arizona
Average temperature in 2023: 60.7 F (15.9 C)
Average temperature 1901 to 2000: 59.3 F (15.2 C)
Average summer temperature: 79.4 F (26.3 C)
The arid to semiarid Arizona can hit temperatures between 105 and 115 F (40.5 to 46.3 C) in the summer. Lake Havasu City, which reached 128 F (53.3 C) in 1994, is the hottest place in Arizona.
9. Oklahoma
Average temperature in 2023: 61.8 F (15.6 C)
Average temperature 1901 to 2000: 59.6 F (15.3 C)
Average summer temperature: 80.8 F (27.1 C)
Oklahoma is the ninth-hottest state. It has both semiarid and humid subtropical climates. The state experiences long, hot summers and mild winters.
8. Arkansas
Average temperature in 2023: 62.9 F (17.2 C)
Average temperature 1901 to 2000: 60.4 F (15.8 C)
Average summer temperature: 79.9 F (26.6 C)
With a humid subtropical climate, Arkansas has mild temperatures on average, but its summers still make it the eighth-hottest state.
7. South Carolina
Average temperature in 2023: 64.2 F (17.9 C)
Average temperature 1901 to 2000: 62.4 F (16.9 C)
Average summer temperature: 78.7 F (25.9 C)
Though much of South Carolina has a humid subtropical climate, which results in plenty of summer heat, parts of the state are not as tropical.
6. Alabama
Average temperature in 2023: 65.4 F (18.6 C)
Average temperature 1901 to 2000: 63.1 F (17.3 C)
Average summer temperature: 80 F (26.7 C)
Alabama is one of the warmest states. Huntsville, Alabama, for example, has hot and humid summers that regularly reach at least 90 F (32.2 C) with moderately cold winters.
5. Georgia
Average temperature in 2023: 65.7 F (18.7 C)
Average temperature 1901 to 2000: 63.4 F (17.4 C)
Average summer temperature: 79.7 F (26.5 C)
Similar to other states in the southeast, Georgia’s weather has not changed dramatically in the last few decades. Currently, there are 15 to 30 days with high temperatures of 95 F (35.0 C) and above, but in the next 70 years, that can increase to 45 to 75 days.
4. Mississippi
Average temperature in 2023: 66.7 F (19.3 C)
Average temperature 1901 to 2000: 63.7 F (17.6 C)
Average summer temperature: 82 F (27.8 C)
Mississippi’s summer temperatures can reach more than 100 F (37.8 C). Since it’s in the humid subtropical region, the state has temperate winters.
3. Texas
Average temperature in 2023: 68 F (20 C)
Average temperature 1901 to 2000: 64.6 F (18.1 C)
Average summer temperature: 85.3 F (29.6 C)
Texas has several different climates due to its sheer size. But it is still one of the warmest states.
2. Louisiana
Average temperature in 2023: 69.6 F (20.9 C)
Average temperature 1901 to 2000: 66.4 F (19.1 C)
Average summer temperature: 84.9 F (29.4 C)
Louisiana’s subtropical climate is partially a result of its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. The state has long, humid summers and short winters.
1. Florida
Average temperature in 2023: 73.4 F (23 C)
Average temperature 1901 to 2000: 70.2 F (21.2 C)
Average summer temperature: 83.2 F (28.4 C)
Florida’s hot climate can make for a punishing summer. While other states are sunnier than the Sunshine State, Florida has warmer average annual temperatures.
When you look at the averages, those figures don’t seem that bad.
But, it is those summer months, the hot three, that really make our lives critical.
My only advice comes from the most awesome play and movie. West Side Story.
Be cool.
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“The Earth is what we all have in common.” — Wendell Berry
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“Global warming isn’t a prediction. It is happening.” — James Hansen
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“It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment.” — Ansel Adams
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“The biggest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” — Robert Swan
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Some like it hot. Oh. Hot.
