A brutal heat wave is scorching the American Southwest. Temperatures in Phoenix may climb to 113 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday. This would be the 57th day temperatures have exceeded 100 in Phoenix this year. Phoenix first topped 100 this year on April 26.
There is no relief in sight — the National Weather Service posted an excessive heat warning Tuesday until 8 p.m. Aug. 21. The daily highs are forecast to top 100 degrees through at least Saturday, Aug. 24.
To find the U.S. cities that report the most days a year with exceptionally high temperatures, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Click here to see America’s hottest cities.
Click here to see the methodology.
Phoenix daytime temperatures have set record highs far more often than they have record lows in each of the past five decades. The future looks even hotter for Phoenix. According to a report last week from the Union of Concerned Scientists, Phoenix’s historical average number of days from April through October with a heat index of 105 or more is 16 (the heat index is a non-standardized measure of the combination of heat and humidity). The report says cities in the Sun Belt will likely face more frequent days with a heat index around 105 in the later part of the century.
Besides the Southwest, climate change is not sparing other regions of the nation. From the Everglades in Florida to Glacier National Park in Montana, climate change is having a severe impact on popular tourist draws. Here are the attractions that are being destroyed by climate change.
Heat kills more people in the United States, over a 30-year average, than any other natural hazard, according to the National Weather Service. Tornadoes and floods are other natural events that have exacted a deadly toll in the United States. Preparedness for such natural disasters varies from state to state. Here are the best and worst prepared states for weather emergencies.
Source: Thinkstock
50. Oklahoma City, OK
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 71
> Highest temp. on record: 113° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 94° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 51.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 139
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Source: Thinkstock
49. Tulsa, OK
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 73
> Highest temp. on record: 113° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 94° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 52.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 127
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Source: Thinkstock
48. Sacramento, CA
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 73
> Highest temp. on record: 115° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 29.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 188
Source: John Phelan / Wikimedia Commons
47. Winslow, AZ
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 73
> Highest temp. on record: 109° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 95° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 26.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 177
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Source: Thinkstock
46. New Orleans, LA
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 74
> Highest temp. on record: 102° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 91° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 65.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 101
Source: Thinkstock
45. West Palm Beach, FL
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 75
> Highest temp. on record: 101° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 90° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 64.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 75
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Source: Thinkstock
44. Little Rock, AR
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 75
> Highest temp. on record: 114° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 93° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 55.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 119
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Source: Thinkstock
43. Mobile, AL
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 76
> Highest temp. on record: 105° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 91° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 60.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 102
Source: Thinkstock
42. Columbus, GA
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 77
> Highest temp. on record: 106° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 56.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 110
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41. Fort Smith, AR
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 77
> Highest temp. on record: 115° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 93° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 53.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 123
Source: Thinkstock
40. Columbia, SC
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 77
> Highest temp. on record: 109° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 93° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 53.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 115
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39. Augusta, GA
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 78
> Highest temp. on record: 108° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 54.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 112
Source: Thinkstock
38. Lake Charles, LA
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 79
> Highest temp. on record: 107° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 62.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 98
Source: Thinkstock
37. Jacksonville, FL
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 82
> Highest temp. on record: 105° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 59.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 94
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Source: Wikimedia Commons
36. Stockton, CA
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 82
> Highest temp. on record: 115° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 93° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 27.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 184
Source: Thinkstock
35. Jackson, MS
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 83
> Highest temp. on record: 107° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 59.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 111
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Source: Dudemanfellabra / Wikimedia Commons
34. Meridian, MS
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 84
> Highest temp. on record: 107° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 58.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 108
Source: Thinkstock
33. Montgomery, AL
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 84
> Highest temp. on record: 106° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 58.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 107
Source: Mike Gonzalez / Wikimedia Commons
32. Gainesville, FL
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 84
> Highest temp. on record: 103° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 91° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 62.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 0
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Source: Thinkstock
31. Lubbock, TX
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 84
> Highest temp. on record: 114° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 93° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 46.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 160
Source: Thinkstock
30. Macon, GA
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 85
> Highest temp. on record: 108° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 93° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 55.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 112
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29. Port Arthur, TX
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 86
> Highest temp. on record: 108° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 63.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 95
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Source: Thinkstock
28. Tampa, FL
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 86
> Highest temp. on record: 99° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 90° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 64.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 101
Source: Thinkstock
27. Baton Rouge, LA
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 89
> Highest temp. on record: 105° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 93° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 61.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 99
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26. Tallahassee, FL
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 91
> Highest temp. on record: 105° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 61.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 102
Source: Wikimedia Commons
25. Bishop, CA
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 91
> Highest temp. on record: 110° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 98° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 15.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 201
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24. Shreveport, LA
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 92
> Highest temp. on record: 109° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 93° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 54.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 114
Source: Thinkstock
23. Orlando, FL
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 97
> Highest temp. on record: 101° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 59.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 89
Source: Wikimedia Commons
22. Roswell, NM
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 98
> Highest temp. on record: 114° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 94° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 32.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 168
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21. Fort Myers, FL
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 99
> Highest temp. on record: 103° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 61.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 98
Source: Abilene Wikipedia
20. Abilene, TX
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 102
> Highest temp. on record: 110° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 94° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 46.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 149
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19. Houston, TX
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 103
> Highest temp. on record: 109° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 92° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 56.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 90
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18. Dallas, TX
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 103
> Highest temp. on record: 112° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 96° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 48.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 0
Source: Thinkstock
17. Redding, CA
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 104
> Highest temp. on record: 118° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 95° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 18.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 172
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Source: Wikimedia Commons
16. Midland-Odessa, TX
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 106
> Highest temp. on record: 116° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 95° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 42.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 165
Source: Thinkstock
15. Wichita Falls, TX
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 107
> Highest temp. on record: 117° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 97° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 44.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 151
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Source: David Jordan / Wikimedia Commons
14. Fresno, CA
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 108
> Highest temp. on record: 113° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 98° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 21.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 194
Source: Thinkstock
13. El Paso, TX
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 108
> Highest temp. on record: 114° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 96° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 18.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 193
Source: Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons
12. Victoria, TX
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 110
> Highest temp. on record: 111° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 95° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 55.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 86
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Source: Bobak Ha'Eri / Wikimedia Commons
11. Bakersfield, CA
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 110
> Highest temp. on record: 115° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 97° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 21.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 191
Source: HuecoBear / Wikimedia Commons
10. Waco, TX
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 111
> Highest temp. on record: 112° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 97° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 47.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 130
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9. Corpus Christi, TX
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 112
> Highest temp. on record: 109° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 94° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 56.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 102
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Source: Thinkstock
8. Austin, TX
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 114
> Highest temp. on record: 112° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 97° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 49.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 115
Source: Larry D. Moore / Wikimedia Commons
7. San Angelo, TX
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 114
> Highest temp. on record: 111° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 95° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 43.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 154
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Source: Thinkstock
6. San Antonio, TX
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 116
> Highest temp. on record: 111° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 98° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 50.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 105
Source: 25or6to4 / Wikimedia Commons
5. Brownsville, TX
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 124
> Highest temp. on record: 106° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 94° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 55.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 96
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Source: Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons
4. Del Rio, TX
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 134
> Highest temp. on record: 112° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 97° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 50.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 121
Source: Thinkstock
3. Las Vegas, NV
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 135
> Highest temp. on record: 117° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 104° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 15.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 210
Source: Thinkstock
2. Tucson, AZ
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 146
> Highest temp. on record: 117° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 100° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 13.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 193
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Source: Thinkstock
1. Phoenix, AZ
> Days per year with 90+ temp.: 169
> Highest temp. on record: 122° F
> Normal mid-summer high: 106° F
> Mid-summer afternoon humidity: 21.0%
> Avg. sunny days per year: 211
Methodology
To identify the hottest cities in America, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the average number of days each year that temperatures of 90°F or higher are recorded in 254 U.S. cities. Figures came from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s 2015 Comparative Climatic Data report. Averages for each city were calculated over varying periods, depending on when the city began keeping records.
The normal mid-summer high temperature is the 30-year average daily maximum temperature from the month with the highest average daily temperature for each city using data recorded between 1981-2010. Mid-summer afternoon humidity is the average relative afternoon humidity for the same month as the normal mid-summer high. Highest temperature on record refers to the highest temperature recorded at each city’s weather station and may differ from citywide or statewide figures.
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