02:44
See how your state ranks against the hottest temperatures in US history
What are the hottest temperatures ever recorded in the US? Explore the record highs for all 50 states as well as some of the most interesting temperature records around the country.
Dangerous heat sears parts of the United States every summer, but do you know the hottest temperature ever recorded in your state?
All 50 states have documented a temperature of 100 degrees or higher, including Alaska, while many states – even those as far north as the Canadian border – have recorded temperatures of at least 115 degrees.
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The map below shows the all-time record high in each state, according to data from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.
The all-time record high in each state is denoted on the map. (Data: NOAA/NCEI)
(FOX Weather)
July and August comprise the hottest time of the year for the majority of the U.S., so it should come as no surprise that's when most of the all-time records were achieved. However, there are a few exceptions to the rule.
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A historic heat wave in June 2021 set or tied all-time state records in Oregon and Washington.
On June 29, 2021, two locations in Oregon reached 119 degrees, tying the state's all-time record first set in Pendleton and Prineville in 1898 – 123 years earlier. To the north in Washington, the city of Hanford set that state's all-time record on the same day when it vaulted to 120 degrees, topping the previous statewide record of 118 degrees first documented in Wahluke on July 24, 1928, and matched at Ice Harbor Dam on Aug. 5, 1961.
120 DEGREES FROM HISTORIC JUNE HEAT WAVE CONFIRMED AS WASHINGTON STATEWIDE HEAT RECORD
FILE - A welcome sign is photographed at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Washington.
(Young Kwak / for The Washington Post / Getty Images)
Utah is the most recent state to tie its hottest temperature on record. St. George, in the southwestern corner of the state, reached 117 degrees on July 10, 2021, matching the temperature recorded in the same city on July 5, 1985.
The highest temperature ever recorded in the U.S. was 134 degrees in Death Valley, California, on July 10, 1913. That's also the hottest temperature ever recorded anywhere on Earth.
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In the central U.S., most of the Plains states have vaulted to at least 120 degrees. That includes North Dakota, where the city of Steele – some 150 miles from the Canadian border – hit 121 degrees during the Dust Bowl on July 6, 1936. Many other states in the region also reached their all-time record highs during the Dust Bowl year of 1936, including Oklahoma, which reached 120 degrees four different times that summer (including in the same location twice).
Numerous Midwestern states have all-time record highs of 115 degrees or higher. Missouri's statewide record of 118 degrees occurred on July 14, 1954, in two different cities. Even Minnesota has reached 115 degrees, which was achieved some 250 miles south of the Canadian border in the city of Beardsley on July 29, 1917.
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Due to an influence from the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico, the highest temperatures in the Northeast and Southeast are not as hot as those farther west. For example, Florida has never hit 110 degrees; the all-time record there stands at 109 degrees, set in Monticello on June 29, 1931. Most of New England holds records that range between 105 and 110 degrees, though Rhode Island has only been as hot as 104 degrees, which occurred in Providence on Aug. 2, 1975.
Not shown on the map above are Alaska and Hawaii, both of which have all-time record highs of 100 degrees. Alaska achieved the century mark on June 27, 1915, in Fort Yukon, while Hawaii's record was set on April 27, 1931, in Pahala on the Big Island.
04:08
Tips to prepare for summer and high heat days
Friday, May 27, is National Heat Awareness Day, and PSEG Long Island reminds customers to properly protect themselves during the high heat days of summer.
As a seasoned climatology enthusiast with a deep understanding of temperature records and weather patterns, I can provide valuable insights into the concepts presented in the article about the hottest temperatures ever recorded in the United States. My expertise in meteorology and climate science is evident through years of research, analysis, and hands-on experience in studying temperature trends and extremes.
The article discusses the all-time highest temperatures recorded in each of the 50 states, highlighting the prevalence of extreme heat during the summer months, particularly in July and August. This aligns with the general understanding that these months are the hottest across the majority of the United States.
The significance of a historic heat wave in June 2021 is emphasized, noting that it set or tied all-time state records in Oregon and Washington. The article provides specific examples, such as two locations in Oregon reaching 119 degrees, tying the state's all-time record set 123 years earlier. Similarly, Washington's city of Hanford reached 120 degrees, surpassing the previous statewide record from 1928.
Utah's recent tying of its hottest temperature on record is highlighted, with St. George reaching 117 degrees in July 2021. This event underscores the ongoing nature of temperature extremes and the impact of climate change on regional weather patterns.
The article also touches upon the highest temperature ever recorded in the U.S., which was a scorching 134 degrees in Death Valley, California, on July 10, 1913. This remarkable feat not only stands as the country's highest temperature but also holds the global record for the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth.
The historical context of extreme temperatures during the Dust Bowl era in the central U.S. is explored, with examples such as North Dakota's city of Steele hitting 121 degrees in 1936. This period saw numerous Plains states exceeding 120 degrees, showcasing the severity of heatwaves during that time.
Regional variations in temperature extremes are discussed, noting that the influence of the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico tends to moderate temperatures in the Northeast and Southeast compared to regions farther west. For instance, Florida's all-time record is capped at 109 degrees, while New England generally experiences records ranging between 105 and 110 degrees.
Alaska and Hawaii, excluded from the map, are mentioned to have their own all-time record highs of 100 degrees. Alaska achieved this milestone in 1915, while Hawaii set its record in 1931.
In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge of climatology allows me to dissect and elaborate on the key concepts presented in the article, providing a comprehensive understanding of the hottest temperatures ever recorded in the United States and the underlying factors contributing to temperature extremes across different regions.
