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The Hottest City in Every State

The Hottest City in Every State

Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

By David Heacock

With summer just a few months away, and the U.S. increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates, Americans are gearing up for the possibility of a more normal summer season. But while residents in the northern U.S. typically enjoy comfortably warm temperatures, Americans in other parts of the country increasingly face months of extreme heat and other severe weather events. According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), some U.S. cities experience nearly 200 days per year with temperatures of 90℉ or higher, a number that’s rising.

Many parts of the U.S. with already high summer temperatures are seeing their temperatures climb even higher as the Earth’s temperatures warm. In every year since 1977, global average temperatures have been higher than the 20th century global temperature average. And the difference from the average 20th century temperature has been steadily climbing.

In 2020, the global temperature average was 1.6℃ higher (2.84℉) than the average temperature from the last century, making it the warmest year on record (tied with year 2016). The impacts of global climate change are already occurring in the form of sea ice depletion, faster rise in sea levels, and more intense heat waves. Scientists predict that global temperatures will continue to increase, although not uniformly, and much of the western and central parts of the U.S. will be subject to more frequent and extreme summer heat waves.

Data of global temperatures.

As the Earth warms overall, such high temperature extremes are becoming increasingly common. In 2020, 49% of the U.S. had maximum temperatures much above normal—that is, nearly half of the country had high temperatures in the upper 10th percentile of the local historical record. At the same time, cold temperature extremes have become less common. For example, in 2020, no part of the U.S. recorded low temperatures in the bottom 10th percentile.

Data of increase in extreme temperature in the US.

At the state level, some states have had more marked increases in their average temperatures than others. Comparing data from the past year to the historical record, Rhode Island experienced the greatest average temperature increase, 3.6℉, from the 20th century average temperature. Other states with similar increases include Maine, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, California, and New Jersey. Only two states, Arkansas and Oklahoma, actually recorded slightly lower average temperatures than last century’s average, -0.2℉ and -0.1℉ lower, respectively.

Data of temperature this past year compared to the 20th century.

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To find the hottest city in every state, researchers at Filterbuy analyzed the latest data from NOAA. Within each state, the researchers ranked cities according to the greatest long-term average number of days per year when the temperature is 90℉ or higher. Researchers also calculated the long-term average number of days per year when the temperature is 100℉ or higher, the long-term average high temperature during the summer months, and the average long-term low temperature during summer. Only cities with populations of 10,000 or greater were considered in the analysis.

The Hottest City in Every State

A small house sits on the shore of a calm lake, with trees in the background.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Alabama

  • Hottest city: Tuscaloosa
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 80
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 5
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 91.9℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 70.7℉

A simple house on a meadow basks in the view of a lush grove of trees in the background and a river in the foreground.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Alaska

  • Hottest city: Fairbanks
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 0
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 0
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 70.6℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 48.9℉

A lone cactus reaches skyward.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Arizona

  • Hottest city: Yuma
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 185
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 124
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 107.5℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 73.8℉

A view deck juts out beside the lake, offering a stunning sunset view over the water.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Arkansas

  • Hottest city: Helena-West Helena
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 100
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 11
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 94.1℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 68.2℉

A collection of windmills stands tall in a plain area, with mountains rising in the distance.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

California

  • Hottest city: Indio
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 182
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 117
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 105.7℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 78.3℉

A road winds beside towering rocks, offering a scenic view of nature.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Colorado

  • Hottest city: Greeley
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 68
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 12
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 90.9℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 56.2℉

A solitary lighthouse stands sentinel at the seaside, with a cluster of small rocks in the foreground.Danbury is a city in the Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT metro area. Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Connecticut

  • Hottest city: Danbury
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 16
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 1
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 82.8℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 61.2℉

A tranquil body of water reflects the sky, dotted with scattered water plants.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Delaware

  • Hottest city: Newark
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 30
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 1
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 86.7℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 63.9℉

An image of a calm lake and coconut trees silhouetted against a fiery sunset.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Florida

  • Hottest city: Lakeland
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 138
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 1
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 93.8℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 72.5℉

A view from the ground of trees with yellow leaves.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Georgia

  • Hottest city: Albany
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 89
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 2
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 91.9℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 71.4℉

A calm blue sea laps at the shore, lined with tall buildings that are dwarfed by the mountain in the background.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Hawaii

  • Hottest city: Honolulu
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 19
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 0
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 87.9℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 74.3℉

Two horses graze in a meadow, with their stable visible in the background.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Idaho

  • Hottest city: Caldwell
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 62
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 14
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 90.5℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 56.7℉

A meadow stretches out beneath a sky dotted with fluffy clouds. Two distant houses and a windmill complete the tranquil scene.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Illinois

  • Hottest city: Carbondale
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 40
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 1
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 87.8℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 65.1℉

A man in blue walks down the street, parked cars lining the sides.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Indiana

  • Hottest city: Evansville
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 66
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 3
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 90.6℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 68.8℉

A plain meadow stretches out, with flowering plants lining the side of a rough road.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Iowa

  • Hottest city: Burlington
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 25
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 1
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 85.2℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 65.0℉

A close-up of a cornfield with white clouds above.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Kansas

  • Hottest city: Liberal
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 73
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 13
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 91.3℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 63.2℉

A country road winds its way along a scenic hill.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Kentucky

  • Hottest city: Glasgow
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 54
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 2
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 89.6℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 65.3℉

A pond surrounded by a few trees and grasses reflects the sky. A house stands in the distance, with a red car parked beside it.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Louisiana

  • Hottest city: Monroe
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 98
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 7
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 93.3℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 70.9℉

A street lined with buildings stretches into the distance.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Maine

  • Hottest city: Orono
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 8
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 0
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 78.9℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 56.7℉

A view of a calm lake with white boats parked and buildings at the background. Show draftsPhoto Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Maryland

  • Hottest city: Baltimore
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 61
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 8
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 90.3℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 73.0℉

An aerial view reveals a collection of buildings.Lowell is a city in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area. Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Massachusetts

  • Hottest city: Lowell
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 15
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 0
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 81.9℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 57.6℉

A calm sea reflects the lights of buildings in the background.Dearborn is a city in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area. Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Michigan

  • Hottest city: Dearborn
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 14
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 0
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 82.7℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 60.2℉

An image of collection of buildings.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Minnesota

  • Hottest city: Minneapolis
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 17
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 1
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 83.7℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 62.8℉

An image of a road leading to the forest. Show draftsPhoto Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Mississippi

  • Hottest city: Hernando
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 92
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 12
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 93.4℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 69.0℉

A weathered old house stands alone in a meadow, with a small tree casting a long shadow in the foreground.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Missouri

  • Hottest city: Kennett
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 63
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 5
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 90.6℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 68.0℉

A collection of tall trees and a blue sky above. Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Montana

  • Hottest city: Billings
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 41
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 3
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 86.3℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 54.2℉

A big rock stands tall at the middle of a meadow and a blue sky above.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Nebraska

  • Hottest city: Scottsbluff
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 40
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 3
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 86.3℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 56.0℉

A long road stretches through the desert, with large rocks scattered around.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Nevada

  • Hottest city: Mesquite
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 147
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 100
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 105.2℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 74.3℉

An image of a shallow river and a bridge above it.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

New Hampshire

  • Hottest city: Hudson
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 11
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 0
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 80.5℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 56.4℉

Fields dotted with young crops stretch towards the horizon. A weathered fence separates the field from a tree in the foreground.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

New Jersey

  • Hottest city: Moorestown
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 37
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 1
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 87.2℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 61.7℉

A long road cuts through a vast plain, dry grasses rustling in the breeze. A clear blue sky stretches overhead.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

New Mexico

  • Hottest city: Carlsbad
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 105
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 21
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 94.6℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 66.5℉

An image of apartments side by side along the street and a yellow car passing by. Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

New York

  • Hottest city: New York
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 17
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 0
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 83.2℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 67.4℉

A view of a road going to the city and tall buildings at the background. Concord is a city in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area. Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

North Carolina

  • Hottest city: Concord
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 55
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 2
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 89.3℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 67.3℉

A winding road slices through a rocky empty space with clear blue sky above.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

North Dakota

  • Hottest city: Williston
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 22
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 2
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 81.7℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 53.2℉

A calm lake reflects a collection of buildings that line the shore. Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Ohio

  • Hottest city: Dayton
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 31
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 1
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 85.8℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 65.1℉

A grassy meadow stretches in the foreground, with mountains rising in the background.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Oklahoma

  • Hottest city: Lawton
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 96
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 27
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 95.3℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 70.0℉

Sunset rays cast a silhouette of a lone tree branch standing tall in the meadow.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Oregon

  • Hottest city: Medford
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 54
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 9
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 87.7℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 55.4℉

A calm lake reflects a collection of buildings in the background.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Pennsylvania

  • Hottest city: Philadelphia
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 32
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 1
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 86.2℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 68.3℉

A view of collection of buildings and a clear blue sky above.Warwick is a city in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area. Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Rhode Island

  • Hottest city: Warwick
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 9
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 0
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 80.6℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 62.0℉

An image of two roads with trees around them leading to the cityscape. Show draftsPhoto Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

South Carolina

  • Hottest city: Columbia
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 95
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 12
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 93.5℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 71.9℉

A calm lake lies in the foreground, with a building flying flags in front of it.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

South Dakota

  • Hottest city: Pierre
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 37
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 6
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 85.4℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 59.2℉

A calm lake lies in the foreground, with a collection of buildings at the background.Millington in a city in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area. Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Tennessee

  • Hottest city: Millington
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 70
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 4
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 91.2℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 70.4℉

A fence with the word "TEXAS" imprinted on it.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Texas

  • Hottest city: Rio Grande City
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 166
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 44
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 98.1℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 75.3℉

A long, winding road cuts through a vast desert landscape, with scattered plants and distant hills framing the scene.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Utah

  • Hottest city: St. George
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 116
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 46
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 98.7℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 71.6℉

A clean road bisects the scene, lined with buildings on either side.Essex is a city in the Burlington, VT metro area. Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Vermont

  • Hottest city: Essex
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 6
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 0
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 78.9℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 57.2℉

A calm sea stretches out in the foreground, with a few steel posts visible in the distance.Suffolk is a city in the Virginia Beach–Norfolk–Newport News, VA–NC metro area. Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Virginia

  • Hottest city: Suffolk
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 46
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 1
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 88.4℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 66.2℉

A close-up view of golden grass fields.Pasco is a city in Franklin County, WA. Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Washington

  • Hottest city: Pasco
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 45
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 5
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 88.1℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 54.5℉

An aerial view showcases a collection of buildings bathed in the light of a sunset.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

West Virginia

  • Hottest city: Huntington
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 28
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 0
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 86.0℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 64.4℉

An aerial view showcases a collection of buildings.West Allis is a city in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area. Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Wisconsin

  • Hottest city: West Allis
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 16
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 0
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 82.4℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 61.1℉

A straight road slices through a meadow of dry, yellow grasses.Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Wyoming

  • Hottest city: Riverton
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 90℉: 30
  • Number of days per year w/ temperature above 100℉: 1
  • Average summer maximum temperature: 84.8℉
  • Average summer minimum temperature: 51.2℉

Detailed Findings & Methodology

Of the hottest cities in each state, Yuma, AZ boasts the highest number of days per year with temperatures above 90℉, at 185 days or over half the year. Yuma also has an astounding 124 days per year with temperatures over 100℉. On average, the hottest cities have 59 days per year with temperatures over 90℉ and 13 days per year with temperatures over 100℉.

Summer high and low temperatures also vary substantially among the hottest cities. On average across all 50 cities, the average summer high temperature is 89℉ and the average summer low temperature is 65℉. However, some cities have far hotter days. Yuma’s average high in summer is 108℉, while the average high summer temperature in Fairbanks, AK is just 71℉. Besides more moderate temperature during the day, northern states also tend to have cooler nights and mornings during the summer. This is reflected in the average summer low temperatures. The average low temperature in the summer in Fairbanks is a brisk 49℉, while summer temperatures typically don’t fall much below 80℉ in Indio, CA.

To find the hottest city in every state, researchers at Filterbuy analyzed the latest data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information’s (NCEI) Climate Normals dataset. The Climate Normals are three-decade averages of climatological variables, including temperature and precipitation. Within each state, the researchers ranked cities according to the greatest long-term average number of days per year when the temperature is 90℉ or higher. Researchers also calculated the long-term average number of days per year when the temperature is 100℉ or higher, the long-term average high temperature in summer, and the average long-term low temperature in summer. Only cities with populations of 10,000 or greater were considered in the analysis.

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