Which East Coast Cities Suffered the Worst Heat Waves Last July?

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By Jennifer Geer Published Dec 6, 2024 at 9:10 AM EST

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Which East Coast Cities Suffered the Worst Heat Waves Last July? — © Kirkikis / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

An early summer heat wave hit many parts of the United States, including the East Coast in June 2024. On June 19, Hartford, Connecticut, reached 97 degrees Fahrenheit, while Boston was at a steamy 98 degrees Fahrenheit. Heading into July brought no relief. Excessive heat can be dangerous for people and pets, causing dehydration, heat stroke, and other heat-related conditions. Extreme heat can also cause damage to infrastructure by warping railroad tracks, straining electric grids, and buckling pavement. (Also see billion-dollar weather disasters since 2023.)

To determine the East Coast cities that experienced the worst heat waves during July of 2024 24/7 Wall St. reviewed county-level data on daily average temperature from the NOAA’s nClimGrid-Daily program. County seats were ranked based on the raw differential in average daily temperature from the period July 1-6, 1981-2010 to July 1-6, 2024. Only county seats with at least 10,000 residents were considered. Data on population is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey. It is important to emphasize that our list only considers the deviation from normal temperatures — how much hotter current temperatures were compared to historic normals. Also, the list only considers the week of July 1-6, and some records have been broken since.

Why This Matters

A hot wave, also known as a heatwave, occurs when temperatures soar significantly above the average for a prolonged period, often leading to health risks, power outages, and increased wildfire hazards

Climate change is causing extreme weather to worsen. Much of it is related to rising temperatures, as heat fuels several types of extreme weather. Scientists’ analysis found that certain extreme heat waves last year indeed could not have been possible without climate change. Extreme heat is the deadliest form of weather globally, and population exposure to staggering heat is increasing. One way to understand this is by looking at the deviation of current temperatures and normal historic temperatures.

50. Prattville, AL (Autauga County)

Autauga County Courthouse March 2010 02 by Chris Pruitt

Autauga County Courthouse March 2010 02 (BY-SA 3.0) by Chris Pruitt

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 84.5°F (+4.3°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 80.1°F
Total population: 38,124

49. Wetumpka, AL (Elmore County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 84.3°F (+4.3°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 80.0°F
Total population: 7,129

48. Selma, AL (Dallas County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 84.9°F (+4.4°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 80.5°F
Total population: 17,875

47. Ballston Spa, NY (Saratoga County)

Former Chocolate Factory in Ballston Spa, New York

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 72.5°F (+4.4°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 68.2°F
Total population: 5,288

46. St. Johnsbury, VT (Caledonia County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 68.7°F (+4.4°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 64.3°F
Total population: 5,963

45. Concord, NH (Merrimack County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 72.1°F (+4.5°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 67.7°F
Total population: 44,049

44. Troy, AL (Pike County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 84.3°F (+4.5°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 79.9°F
Total population: 17,757

43. Fort Payne, AL (DeKalb County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 80.7°F (+4.5°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 76.2°F
Total population: 14,815

42. Portland, ME (Cumberland County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 71.9°F (+4.5°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 67.4°F
Total population: 68,280

41. Laconia, NH (Belknap County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 72.1°F (+4.5°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 67.6°F
Total population: 16,898

40. Greenville, AL (Butler County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 84.2°F (+4.5°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 79.7°F
Total population: 7,326

39. Eatonton, GA (Putnam County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 83.8°F (+4.5°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 79.2°F
Total population: 6,369

38. Clanton, AL (Chilton County)

Peaches by NatalieMaynor

Peaches (CC BY 2.0) by NatalieMaynor

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 83.8°F (+4.6°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 79.1°F
Total population: 8,776

37. Talladega, AL (Talladega County)

Talladega County Courthouse by formulanone

Talladega County Courthouse (CC BY-SA 2.0) by formulanone

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 83.2°F (+4.6°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 78.5°F
Total population: 15,071

36. Anniston, AL (Calhoun County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 82.7°F (+4.7°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 78.0°F
Total population: 21,502

35. Montpelier, VT (Washington County)

Washington County Courthouse - Montpelier, Vermont by Farragutful

Washington County Courthouse - Montpelier, Vermont (BY-SA 4.0) by Farragutful

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 69.2°F (+4.7°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 64.5°F
Total population: 8,030

34. Thomaston, GA (Upson County)

Upson County Courthouse (West face) by Michael Rivera

Upson County Courthouse (West face) (BY-SA 3.0) by Michael Rivera

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 83.5°F (+4.7°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 78.7°F
Total population: 9,720

33. Griffin, GA (Spalding County)

Spalding County Courthouse (NE corner) by Michael Rivera

Spalding County Courthouse (NE corner) (BY-SA 3.0) by Michael Rivera

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 83.2°F (+4.8°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 78.4°F
Total population: 23,485

32. McDonough, GA (Henry County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 83.3°F (+4.8°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 78.5°F
Total population: 29,134

31. Newport, NH (Sullivan County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 70.6°F (+4.8°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 65.8°F
Total population: 5,228

30. Barnesville, GA (Lamar County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 83.2°F (+4.8°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 78.4°F
Total population: 6,200

29. LaGrange, GA (Troup County)

Troup County Georgia Government Center by Rivers Langley; SaveRivers

Troup County Georgia Government Center (BY-SA 3.0) by Rivers Langley; SaveRivers

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 83.3°F (+4.9°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 78.4°F
Total population: 31,173

28. Jackson, GA (Butts County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 83.7°F (+5.0°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 78.7°F
Total population: 5,497

27. Conyers, GA (Rockdale County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 83.2°F (+5.0°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 78.3°F
Total population: 17,415

26. Middlebury, VT (Addison County)

The Addison County Independent (or Addison Independent) newspaper office in Middlebury, Vermont by Harrison Keely

The Addison County Independent (or Addison Independent) newspaper office in Middlebury, Vermont (BY 4.0) by Harrison Keely

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 71.7°F (+5.0°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 66.7°F
Total population: 6,913

25. Gainesville, GA (Hall County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 81.3°F (+5.0°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 76.3°F
Total population: 42,780

24. Jefferson, GA (Jackson County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 82.5°F (+5.0°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 77.5°F
Total population: 13,496

23. Athens-Clarke County, GA (Clarke County)

Clarke County Courthouse (Clarke County, Georgia) by Michael Rivera

Clarke County Courthouse (Clarke County, Georgia) (BY-SA 4.0) by Michael Rivera

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 82.9°F (+5.0°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 77.9°F
Total population: 126,672

22. Decatur, GA (DeKalb County)

The Old DeKalb County Courthouse by Lee Coursey

The Old DeKalb County Courthouse (CC BY 2.0 DEED) by Lee Coursey

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 82.9°F (+5.0°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 77.9°F
Total population: 24,421

21. Fayetteville, GA (Fayette County)

Fayette County GA courthouse by Tonyvenson

Fayette County GA courthouse (CC BY-SA 3.0) by Tonyvenson

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 83.1°F (+5.0°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 78.1°F
Total population: 19,010

20. Covington, GA (Newton County)

Newton County Courthouse, Covi... by John Trainor

Newton County Courthouse, Covi... (CC BY 2.0) by John Trainor

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 83.4°F (+5.1°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 78.4°F
Total population: 14,190

19. Monroe, GA (Walton County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 82.9°F (+5.1°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 77.8°F
Total population: 15,036

18. Winder, GA (Barrow County)

Barrow County Courthouse, Winder GA by johntrainor

Barrow County Courthouse, Winder GA (BY 2.0) by johntrainor

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 82.5°F (+5.1°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 77.4°F
Total population: 18,414

17. LaFayette, GA (Walker County)

File:Walker County (GA) Courthouse.jpg by PrometheusX303 at English Wikipedia

File:Walker County (GA) Courthouse.jpg (BY-SA 3.0) by PrometheusX303 at English Wikipedia

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 81.7°F (+5.2°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 76.5°F
Total population: 6,929

16. Lawrenceville, GA (Gwinnett County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 82.3°F (+5.2°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 77.1°F
Total population: 30,465

15. Atlanta, GA (Fulton County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 82.8°F (+5.3°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 77.6°F
Total population: 494,838

14. Rutland, VT (Rutland County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 70.6°F (+5.3°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 65.3°F
Total population: 15,819

13. Rome, GA (Floyd County)

Floyd County Administration Building; Rome, Georgia; June 23, 2011 by Stephen Matthew Milligan

Floyd County Administration Building; Rome, Georgia; June 23, 2011 (BY-SA 3.0) by Stephen Matthew Milligan

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 83.3°F (+5.3°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 77.9°F
Total population: 37,621

12. Marietta, GA (Cobb County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 82.8°F (+5.3°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 77.5°F
Total population: 61,387

11. Newnan, GA (Coweta County)

Coweta County Courthouse, Newnan, GA, US by Jud McCranie

Coweta County Courthouse, Newnan, GA, US (BY-SA 4.0) by Jud McCranie

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 83.1°F (+5.3°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 77.8°F
Total population: 42,689

10. Dahlonega, GA (Lumpkin County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 79.2°F (+5.4°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 73.8°F
Total population: 7,083

9. Cumming, GA (Forsyth County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 81.7°F (+5.4°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 76.3°F
Total population: 7,371

8. Douglasville, GA (Douglas County)

Old Douglas County Courthouse; Douglasville, Georgia; January 30, 2011 by Stephen Matthew Milligan

Old Douglas County Courthouse; Douglasville, Georgia; January 30, 2011 (BY-SA 3.0) by Stephen Matthew Milligan

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 82.7°F (+5.5°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 77.2°F
Total population: 35,252

7. Cartersville, GA (Bartow County)

Bartow County Courthouse; Cartersville, Georgia; June 23, 2011 by Stephen Matthew Milligan

Bartow County Courthouse; Cartersville, Georgia; June 23, 2011 (BY-SA 3.0) by Stephen Matthew Milligan

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 83.2°F (+5.5°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 77.7°F
Total population: 23,103

6. Dalton, GA (Whitfield County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 82.8°F (+5.5°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 77.2°F
Total population: 34,358

5. Cedartown, GA (Polk County)

Courthouse of Polk County, Georgia by The original uploader was Karlward at English Wikipedia.

Courthouse of Polk County, Georgia (BY-SA 3.0) by The original uploader was Karlward at English Wikipedia.

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 82.7°F (+5.5°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 77.2°F
Total population: 10,166

4. Dallas, GA (Paulding County)

Historical Paulding County Courthouse - Dallas GA by TheMillCreek

Historical Paulding County Courthouse - Dallas GA (CC BY-SA 3.0) by TheMillCreek

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 82.6°F (+5.6°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 77.0°F
Total population: 14,126

3. Calhoun, GA (Gordon County)

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 83.4°F (+5.6°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 77.8°F
Total population: 17,184

2. Canton, GA (Cherokee County)

Old Cherokee County Courthouse; Canton, Georgia; November 4, 2012 by Stephen Matthew Milligan

Old Cherokee County Courthouse; Canton, Georgia; November 4, 2012 (BY-SA 3.0) by Stephen Matthew Milligan

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 82.3°F (+5.6°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 76.7°F
Total population: 33,499

1. Carrollton, GA (Carroll County)

Carroll County Courthouse 1928 by Michael Rivera

Carroll County Courthouse 1928 (BY-SA 3.0) by Michael Rivera

Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 2024: 82.4°F (+5.7°F hotter than normal)
Avg. temperature, July 1-6, 1981-2010: 76.7°F
Total population: 26,622

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