Special Report

Hottest City in Every State

Thomas C. Frohlich

Published: June 5, 2018 5:55 pm

Last Updated: January 11, 2020 10:44 pm

American summers are hot. While this spring was unusually cold, there is a strong likelihood that temperatures this summer will be unusually high across most of the country, particularly the western and northeastern United States — according to federal scientific agency predictions based on 139 years of temperature records.

Temperatures vary widely throughout the year across North America, and over the course of history. The coldest temperature ever recorded in the continent was -84.4° Fahrenheit in Snag, a small village in Canada’s Yukon Territory. At the other end of the spectrum, temperatures reached a staggering 134° Fahrenheit in Furnace Creek, Death Valley, California on July 10, 1913.

Temperatures can also vary substantially within regions and within states. Cities, in particular, due in part to the presence of heat-trapping materials such as asphalt, metal, and concrete are often a state’s hottest areas. Based on the most recent historical temperature data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 24/7 Wall St. identified each state’s hottest city.

In 67 of the nearly 200 medium to large cities, daily 90 ° Fahrenheit or higher temperatures are completely normal during the hottest month of the year. In 20 cities across Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas, 100 or more days of 90° Fahrenheit plus weather are recorded on average annually.

Click here to see the hottest city in every state.
Click here to see our methodology.

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

1. Alabama
> Hottest city: Montgomery
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 92.1° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 84
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 106.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 76.5° F

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Source: Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com

2. Alaska
> Hottest city: Fairbanks
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 72.7° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 53
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 96.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 37.9° F

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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

3. Arizona
> Hottest city: Phoenix
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 106.1° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 169
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 122.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 86.6° F

Source: Xltel / Wikimedia Commons

4. Arkansas
> Hottest city: Fort smith
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 93.4° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 77
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 115.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 72.8° F

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Source: Gemini2525 / Wikimedia Commons

5. California
> Hottest city: Fresno
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 98.4° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 108
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 113.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 76.7° F

Source: Wusel007 / Wikimedia Commons

6. Colorado
> Hottest city: Grand junction
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 93.2° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 59
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 106.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 65.6° F

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Source: Sage Ross / Wikimedia Commons

7. Connecticut
> Hottest city: Hartford
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 83.9° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 18
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 103.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 60.7° F

Source: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) / Wikimedia Commons

8. Delaware
> Hottest city: Wilmington
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 86.1° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 20
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 103.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 64.1° F

Source: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

9. Florida
> Hottest city: Tallahassee
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 92.1° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 91
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 105.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 79.5° F

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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock

10. Georgia
> Hottest city: Savannah
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 92.4° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 71
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 105.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 77.4° F

Source: unclegene / Getty Images

11. Hawaii
> Hottest city: Kahului
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 88.0° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 23
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 97.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 84.3° F

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Source: Patrick Rodriguez / Wikimedia Commons

12. Idaho
> Hottest city: Boise
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 91.2° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 47
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 111.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 63.5° F

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Source: Thinkstock

13. Illinois
> Hottest city: Springfield
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 86.2° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 33
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 112.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 63.0° F

Source: John Blair / Wikimedia Commons

14. Indiana
> Hottest city: Evansville
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 88.5° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 42
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 107.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 66.8° F

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Source: Thinkstock

15. Iowa
> Hottest city: Sioux city
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 85.5° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 27
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 108.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 59.8° F

Source: benkrut / Getty Images

16. Kansas
> Hottest city: Dodge city
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 92.8° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 67
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 111.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 68.1° F

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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

17. Kentucky
> Hottest city: Paducah
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 89.3° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 45
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 108.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 68.4° F

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Source: Thinkstock

18. Louisiana
> Hottest city: Shreveport
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 93.4° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 92
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 109.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 75.8° F

Source: Jeffrey B. Ferland / Wikimedia Commons

19. Maine
> Hottest city: Portland
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 78.8° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 5
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 103.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 55.7° F

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Source: Thinkstock

20. Maryland
> Hottest city: Baltimore
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 87.2° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 31
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 106.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 65.0° F

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

21. Massachusetts
> Hottest city: Boston
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 81.4° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 13
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 103.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 58.7° F

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Source: justfuchs / Getty Images

22. Michigan
> Hottest city: Grand rapids
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 82.8° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 10
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 104.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 57.9° F

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Source: AlexiusHoratius / Wikimedia Commons

23. Minnesota
> Hottest city: Minneapolis-st.paul
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 83.4° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 15
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 105.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 55.2° F

Source: Dudemanfellabra / Wikimedia Commons

24. Mississippi
> Hottest city: Meridian
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 91.8° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 84
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 107.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 75.8° F

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Source: f11photo / Getty Images

25. Missouri
> Hottest city: St. louis
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 89.1° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 45
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 115.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 66.1° F

Source: Sara goth / Wikimedia Commons

26. Montana
> Hottest city: Billings
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 86.8° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 30
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 108.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 59.4° F

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Source: Bobak Ha'Eri / Wikimedia Commons

27. Nebraska
> Hottest city: Scottsbluff
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 89.8° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 45
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 110.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 63.5° F

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Source: BrendelSignature / Wikimedia Commons

28. Nevada
> Hottest city: Las vegas
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 104.1° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 135
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 117.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 79.6° F

Source: Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons

29. New Hampshire
> Hottest city: Concord
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 82.3° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 12
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 102.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 57.9° F

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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

30. New Jersey
> Hottest city: Newark
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 86.0° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 22
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 108.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 63.1° F

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

31. New Mexico
> Hottest city: Roswell
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 93.7° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 98
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 114.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 75.4° F

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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

32. New York
> Hottest city: Albany
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 82.3° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 11
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 100.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 57.8° F

Source: Bz3rk / Wikimedia Commons

33. North Carolina
> Hottest city: Raleigh
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 90.2° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 43
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 105.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 71.6° F

Source: Thinkstock

34. North Dakota
> Hottest city: Bismarck
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 84.7° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 22
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 112.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 54.9° F

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Source: Thinkstock

35. Ohio
> Hottest city: Columbus
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 84.9° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 19
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 104.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 62.5° F

Source: tobynabors / Getty Images

36. Oklahoma
> Hottest city: Oklahoma city
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 93.9° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 71
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 113.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 72.2° F

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Source: CookieMonster755 / Wikimedia Commons

37. Oregon
> Hottest city: Medford
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 90.7° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 54
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 115.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 67.9° F

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

38. Pennsylvania
> Hottest city: Philadelphia
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 87.1° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 25
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 104.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 64.6° F

Source: Will Hart from Fullerton, U.S.A. - flickr.com/photos/cthulhuwho1 - cthulhuwho1.com - youtube.com/user/CthulhuWho1 / Wikimedia Commons

39. Rhode Island
> Hottest city: Providence
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 82.8° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 9
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 104.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 60.6° F

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Source: Akhenaton06 / Wikimedia Commons

40. South Carolina
> Hottest city: Columbia
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 92.7° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 77
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 109.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 75.4° F

Source: EunikaSopotnicka / Getty Images

41. South Dakota
> Hottest city: Rapid city
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 87.1° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 32
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 111.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 60.2° F

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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

42. Tennessee
> Hottest city: Memphis
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 91.6° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 68
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 108.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 72.4° F

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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

43. Texas
> Hottest city: San antonio
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 97.5° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 116
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 111.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 80.7° F

Source: barbaraaaa / Getty Images

44. Utah
> Hottest city: Salt lake city
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 92.6° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 57
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 107.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 63.8° F

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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

45. Vermont
> Hottest city: Burlington
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 80.9° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 7
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 101.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 55.2° F

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

46. Virginia
> Hottest city: Richmond
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 89.7° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 43
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 105.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 69.6° F

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Source: Thinkstock

47. Washington
> Hottest city: Walla walla
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 89.2° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 41
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 114.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 63.3° F

Source: User Youngamerican on en.wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons

48. West Virginia
> Hottest city: Huntington
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 86.0° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 21
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 104.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 66.0° F

Source: Jonathunder / Wikimedia Commons

49. Wisconsin
> Hottest city: La crosse
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 84.1° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 16
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 108.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 56.9° F

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Source: Phillip Stewart / Flickr

50. Wyoming
> Hottest city: Casper
> Avg. temp. during hottest month: 88.1° F
> Avg. annual # of 90° F or hotter days: 31
> Highest temp. recorded since 1980: 104.0° F
> Avg. year-round temp.: 59.2° F

Methodology

To identify the hottest city in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the maximum average temperature in the hottest month of the year between 1981 and 2010 for U.S. cities based on temperatures observed by local weather stations from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Only cities with medium to large populations (greater than 10,000 people) were considered. Record high temperatures, average annual normal daily maximum temperatures, and the average annual number of 90° Fahrenheit or hotter days for each city came from NOAA’s 2015 Comparative Climatic Data report. These data are based on each weather station’s period of record. Population figures come from the Census Bureau’s 2016 American Community Survey. All data is as of the most recent year for which data is available.