Warmest states in America

Published 3:00 pm Friday, April 28, 2023

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Warmest states in America

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, surface temperatures have increased in all 48 contiguous U.S. states each decade since the turn of the 20th century. Since the late 1990s, these increases have become both more severe and more consistent. The surface temperature has increased every single year in the 21st century thus far.

The surge measured within the continental U.S. is consistent with what the rest of the world has experienced, and the past decade has seen extremities never before recorded. NASA’s Global Land-Ocean Temperature Index found that 2016 and 2020 are statistically the hottest years ever registered since temperature recording began in 1880.

Global warming is measured by land surface temperature, whereas air or meteorological temperature determines the daily weather forecast and how it will “feel” outside. While industrial regulations and environmental policy are designed around the first value, human migration is usually driven by the latter, along with other factors such as the job market, lifestyle preferences, and housing costs.

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When comparing meteorological temperatures, the summer of 2021 (June to August) was the hottest summer period on record, according to the NOAA. A heat wave in June and July of that year brought record heat to the Pacific Northwest region, and California’s Death Valley reached an incredible 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

Although southern coastal states are generally perceived as weather-friendly, they do deal with meteorological phenomena that can be devastating, including droughts, floods, tropical storms, and hurricanes. Despite this, in recent years, Florida, Texas, and the Carolinas were the four states with the most significant population increase, which suggests a correlation between year-round warm temperatures, mild, short winters, and living preferences.

Stacker compiled data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information to find the warmest states. Each temperature is compared to the 1901-2000 average. Winter refers to December of the preceding year through February of the current year (e.g., in 1919, winter is December 1918 to February 1919), while summer refers to June through August of each year. All temperatures are listed in Fahrenheit.

In 2022, the average temperature in the mainland U.S. was 53.4 degrees F, breaking down to 73.9 F in summer and 34.7 F in winter. Data for Alaska and Hawaii were not available.

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A road winding through the badlands in North Dakota.

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#48. North Dakota

– Average temperature, 2022: 39.4 F (-.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 50.7 F (-.6 F above average)
– Average low: 28.1 F (0.0 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 68.2 F (1.9 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 10.7 F (0.3 F above average)

Lake Itasca on a sunny day.

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#47. Minnesota

– Average temperature, 2022: 40.0 F (0.0 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 50.4 F (-.5 F above average)
– Average low: 29.7 F (0.4 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 67.7 F (1.5 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 9.4 F (-1.1 F above average)

Pine trees and hills on a sunny day.

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#46. Wyoming

– Average temperature, 2022: 41.8 F (1.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 55.3 F (1.8 F above average)
– Average low: 28.3 F (0.3 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 65.1 F (3.0 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 23.3 F (2.9 F above average)

Guests swimming in a geothermic heated pool at Chico Hot Springs resort.

Rob Crandall // Shutterstock

#45. Montana

– Average temperature, 2022: 42.1 F (0.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 54.4 F (1.3 F above average)
– Average low: 29.8 F (0.6 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 65.8 F (3.1 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 21.5 F (1.9 F above average)

A view of Madison's skyline on a sunny summer day.

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#44. Wisconsin

– Average temperature, 2022: 42.8 F (0.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 53.1 F (0.1 F above average)
– Average low: 32.6 F (0.8 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 67.4 F (0.9 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 16.3 F (0.6 F above average)

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Waves crashing against the shore of Old Orchard Beach on a warm summer morning.

BigMTImages // Shutterstock

#43. Maine

– Average temperature, 2022: 43.4 F (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 53.8 F (3.3 F above average)
– Average low: 32.9 F (3.3 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 65.0 F (2.3 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 18.3 F (2.7 F above average)

A busy summer day along the sandy beach of the lake at Independence Point in the downtown resort district of rural Coeur d'Alene.

Kirk Fisher // Shutterstock

#42. Idaho

– Average temperature, 2022: 43.4 F (0.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 55.5 F (1.1 F above average)
– Average low: 31.4 F (0.5 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 65.4 F (3.6 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 24.9 F (0.7 F above average)

A farm in Vermont on a sunny summer day.

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#41. Vermont

– Average temperature, 2022: 44.2 F (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 55.3 F (3.0 F above average)
– Average low: 33.1 F (2.6 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 65.6 F (2.2 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 20.5 F (3.1 F above average)

A sandy beach trail leading to a sunny summer horizon over the open waters of Lake Michigan at Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon.

ehrlif // Shutterstock

#40. Michigan

– Average temperature, 2022: 45.1 F (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 54.9 F (1.2 F above average)
– Average low: 35.2 F (1.8 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 67.5 F (1.7 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 21.7 F (1.5 F above average)

Rock formations in the badlands of South Dakota.

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#39. South Dakota

– Average temperature, 2022: 45.2 F (0.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 58.2 F (1.2 F above average)
– Average low: 32.2 F (0.0 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 71.8 F (2.2 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 21.2 F (3.0 F above average)

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The first light of the day warming a farm in Landaff.

Diana Nault // Shutterstock

#38. New Hampshire

– Average temperature, 2022: 45.4 F (3.0 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 56.5 F (3.1 F above average)
– Average low: 34.2 F (3.0 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 66.7 F (2.6 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 22.4 F (3.3 F above average)

An expanse of sand dunes in a Colorado desert.

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#37. Colorado

– Average temperature, 2022: 46.1 F (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 60.3 F (1.9 F above average)
– Average low: 31.8 F (1.0 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 67.4 F (2.9 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 27.9 F (2.5 F above average)

Thousands of beachgoers flocking to Coney Island on a hot summer day.

rblfmr // Shutterstock

#36. New York

– Average temperature, 2022: 46.6 F (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 57.1 F (2.5 F above average)
– Average low: 36.1 F (1.7 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 67.8 F (1.9 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 24.1 F (2.4 F above average)

Vineyards on a sunny day in the Columbia River Gorge.

Rigucci // Shutterstock

#35. Washington

– Average temperature, 2022: 47.1 F (0.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 56.8 F (0.8 F above average)
– Average low: 37.3 F (1.1 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 65.2 F (3.5 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 31.5 F (0.7 F above average)

The Iowa State Capitol Building on a sunny day.

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#34. Iowa

– Average temperature, 2022: 47.5 F (0.0 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 58.7 F (0.3 F above average)
– Average low: 36.3 F (-.4 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 72.6 F (1.1 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 22.6 F (1.5 F above average)

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People and dogs cooling off from the summer heat in downtown Portland.

randy andy // Shutterstock

#33. Oregon

– Average temperature, 2022: 48.3 F (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 60.0 F (2.2 F above average)
– Average low: 36.5 F (1.3 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 66.1 F (4.1 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 34.3 F (2.3 F above average)

Sandstone rock formations in the desert.

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#32. Utah

– Average temperature, 2022: 49.4 F (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 62.6 F (2.3 F above average)
– Average low: 36.3 F (1.4 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 71.8 F (3.5 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 30.0 F (2.4 F above average)

The sun setting on a blistering hot summer day over the power lines and tress of Lincoln.

Alex Erwin // Shutterstock

#31. Nebraska

– Average temperature, 2022: 49.6 F (1.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 63.6 F (2.4 F above average)
– Average low: 35.5 F (0.0 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 74.2 F (2.5 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 28.7 F (4.0 F above average)

Scenic grassland and hedges in Pennsylvania.

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#30. Pennsylvania

– Average temperature, 2022: 49.7 F (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 60.4 F (1.8 F above average)
– Average low: 38.9 F (1.2 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 70.3 F (2.0 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 29.9 F (3.0 F above average)

The coastline on a sunny day in Gloucester.

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#29. Massachusetts

– Average temperature, 2022: 50.4 F (3.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 60.8 F (3.6 F above average)
– Average low: 39.9 F (3.2 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 70.9 F (3.7 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 29.8 F (4.1 F above average)

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The beach on a sunny day in New London.

Ritu Manoj Jethani // Shutterstock

#28. Connecticut

– Average temperature, 2022: 51.1 F (3.0 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 61.4 F (3.1 F above average)
– Average low: 40.7 F (3.0 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 71.8 F (3.5 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 30.7 F (3.7 F above average)

A red-orange rock formation in a Nevada desert.

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#27. Nevada

– Average temperature, 2022: 51.5 F (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 65.3 F (2.2 F above average)
– Average low: 37.8 F (1.9 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 72.5 F (3.8 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 33.7 F (2.0 F above average)

The Toledo skyline on a sunny day.

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#26. Ohio

– Average temperature, 2022: 51.8 F (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 62.0 F (1.1 F above average)
– Average low: 41.5 F (1.6 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 72.3 F (1.4 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 31.7 F (2.9 F above average)

Lindos Beach on a hot day.

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#25. Rhode Island

– Average temperature, 2022: 52.0 F (3.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 61.8 F (3.8 F above average)
– Average low: 42.3 F (3.2 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 71.9 F (4.0 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 32.7 F (4.0 F above average)

The crowded Chicago lakefront on a hot Memorial Day.

Adriana.Macias // Shutterstock

#24. Illinois

– Average temperature, 2022: 52.1 F (0.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 62.5 F (0.4 F above average)
– Average low: 41.6 F (0.5 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 74.3 F (0.8 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 30.1 F (2.1 F above average)

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Soybean fields in Indiana at sunset.

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#23. Indiana

– Average temperature, 2022: 52.2 F (0.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 62.8 F (0.8 F above average)
– Average low: 41.6 F (1.0 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 73.4 F (1.0 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 31.5 F (2.8 F above average)

A river flowing through the Audra State Park near Buckhannon.

Steve Heap // Shutterstock

#22. West Virginia

– Average temperature, 2022: 52.4 F (0.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 63.7 F (0.9 F above average)
– Average low: 41.0 F (0.7 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 71.2 F (1.1 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 35.1 F (3.0 F above average)

Bicycles on the Jersey Shore boardwalk during a sunny day.

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#21. New Jersey

– Average temperature, 2022: 54.3 F (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 64.7 F (3.1 F above average)
– Average low: 43.9 F (2.6 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 74.9 F (3.7 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 35.1 F (4.0 F above average)

The desert in New Mexico on a dry day.

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#20. New Mexico

– Average temperature, 2022: 54.7 F (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 69.7 F (2.0 F above average)
– Average low: 39.7 F (1.7 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 73.7 F (2.8 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 37.6 F (2.4 F above average)

A canoe on a calm lake during a warm day.

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#19. Missouri

– Average temperature, 2022: 55.0 F (0.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 66.5 F (0.8 F above average)
– Average low: 43.6 F (0.3 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 77.2 F (1.6 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 35.2 F (3.1 F above average)

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Rural farm land in Kansas on a warm, clear-skied day.

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#18. Kansas

– Average temperature, 2022: 55.1 F (1.0 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 69.0 F (2.3 F above average)
– Average low: 41.3 F (-.2 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 78.6 F (2.1 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 34.2 F (2.9 F above average)

An aerial view of Ocean City during the summer.

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#17. Maryland

– Average temperature, 2022: 55.7 F (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 66.0 F (2.0 F above average)
– Average low: 45.4 F (1.9 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 75.5 F (2.5 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 37.8 F (3.9 F above average)

Waves crashing against the shores of Virginia Beach.

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#16. Virginia

– Average temperature, 2022: 56.2 F (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 67.4 F (1.4 F above average)
– Average low: 45.0 F (1.3 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 74.6 F (1.7 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 39.8 F (3.7 F above average)

Sunrise at Rehoboth Beach.

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#15. Delaware

– Average temperature, 2022: 56.2 F (2.0 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 66.2 F (2.0 F above average)
– Average low: 46.2 F (2.1 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 76.0 F (2.7 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 38.2 F (3.6 F above average)

A dramatic sunset on a countryside farm in Kentucky.

Irina Mos // Shutterstock

#14. Kentucky

– Average temperature, 2022: 56.4 F (0.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 67.8 F (1.0 F above average)
– Average low: 45.0 F (0.8 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 75.9 F (1.4 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 39.1 F (3.6 F above average)

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People swimming in the Wolf River to escape a heat wave in Memphis.

DWBMedias // Shutterstock

#13. Tennessee

– Average temperature, 2022: 58.5 F (0.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 69.9 F (0.7 F above average)
– Average low: 47.1 F (1.0 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 77.4 F (1.8 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 42.6 F (3.7 F above average)

Homes on the coast of North Carolina.

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#12. North Carolina

– Average temperature, 2022: 60.0 F (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 71.2 F (1.3 F above average)
– Average low: 48.9 F (1.7 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 77.0 F (1.6 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 45.2 F (4.0 F above average)

Rock formations on the coast of California.

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#11. California

– Average temperature, 2022: 60.1 F (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 73.0 F (3.0 F above average)
– Average low: 47.2 F (2.4 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 76.0 F (3.8 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 46.0 F (2.5 F above average)

An aerial view of Tucker Tower on Lake Murray in Ardmore with a houseboat in the distance on a summer day.

Liberty Drone Imaging LLC // Shutterstock

#10. Oklahoma

– Average temperature, 2022: 61.0 F (1.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 74.1 F (2.3 F above average)
– Average low: 47.8 F (0.2 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 82.9 F (3.1 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 42.0 F (3.0 F above average)

A waterfall at Hot Springs National Park.

Zack Frank // Shutterstock

#9. Arkansas

– Average temperature, 2022: 61.1 F (0.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 72.6 F (0.9 F above average)
– Average low: 49.7 F (0.5 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 80.6 F (1.8 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 44.8 F (3.4 F above average)

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A desert in Arizona with cacti in the foreground.

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#8. Arizona

– Average temperature, 2022: 61.2 F (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 75.5 F (2.0 F above average)
– Average low: 47.0 F (1.7 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 79.7 F (2.4 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 44.5 F (2.2 F above average)

A sunny day at Myrtle Beach.

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#7. South Carolina

– Average temperature, 2022: 63.7 F (1.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 75.0 F (1.0 F above average)
– Average low: 52.5 F (1.7 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 79.7 F (1.1 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 50.0 F (4.3 F above average)

The coastline of Gulf Shores.

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#6. Alabama

– Average temperature, 2022: 64.0 F (0.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 75.7 F (0.7 F above average)
– Average low: 52.4 F (1.1 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 80.4 F (1.5 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 50.3 F (3.7 F above average)

Boats for shrimp fishing in Pass Christian.

travelview // Shutterstock

#5. Mississippi

– Average temperature, 2022: 64.7 F (1.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 76.6 F (1.3 F above average)
– Average low: 52.9 F (0.9 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 81.4 F (1.6 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 50.6 F (3.9 F above average)

A Georgia beach with a lighthouse in the background on a summer day.

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#4. Georgia

– Average temperature, 2022: 64.8 F (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 76.5 F (1.4 F above average)
– Average low: 53.0 F (1.3 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 80.3 F (1.6 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 51.7 F (4.4 F above average)

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A desert in Texas with mountains in the background.

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#3. Texas

– Average temperature, 2022: 66.5 F (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 79.4 F (2.3 F above average)
– Average low: 53.5 F (1.4 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 84.7 F (3.4 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 50.3 F (3.0 F above average)

A sunny day at the Louisiana State Capitol.

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#2. Louisiana

– Average temperature, 2022: 67.3 F (0.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 78.3 F (1.2 F above average)
– Average low: 56.3 F (0.7 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 82.9 F (1.8 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 54.0 F (3.1 F above average)

Palm trees along the coast of the Florida Keys.

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#1. Florida

– Average temperature, 2022: 72.4 F (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– Average high: 82.6 F (1.8 F above average)
– Average low: 62.1 F (2.7 F above average
– Average summer temperature: 82.6 F (2.0 F above average)
– Average winter temperature: 62.4 F (3.7 F above average)