Sizzling climate generally is a good change of tempo from the gloom of winter, and is usually welcomed in significantly chilly and wet components of the nation. Many individuals sit up for the heat and sunshine all 12 months and even migrate to search out it. An excessive amount of warmth, although, can be a problem.
Sadly, temperatures simply preserve getting hotter. Each 2023 and 2024 had been the most popular years in fashionable historical past, and 2025 simply barely missed the mark. The warmth is inescapable, too, as ocean temperatures (SSTs) additionally reached consecutive highs, solely exacerbating the problem.
So, because the local weather performs an increasingly large role in dictating the place folks reside, we thought it will be useful to interrupt down the most popular states within the U.S. Whether or not you’re seeking to escape the warmth or grow to be one with the solar, this checklist is for you.
The most popular states within the U.S.
How will we measure the most popular states?
For our functions of figuring out the “hottest” states, this checklist measures a state’s common summer season temperature. This fashion, we are able to account for states that see extremely popular summers but additionally have milder winters, as an alternative of completely favoring tropical places which can be heat year-round. We additionally embody a state’s common annual temperature, however don’t use it for rating functions.
An common summer season temperature combines a state’s every day excessive and low temperatures from June-August and averages them into one quantity. An common annual temperature combines a state’s annual common every day excessive and low temperatures and averages them into one quantity.
The heat index (a “appears like” temperature) can be important to remember. Warmth indices account for each air temperatures and relative humidity.
Observe: It’s essential to do not forget that our rankings account for all the state, not only one metropolis. You could consider a state as sizzling as a result of a metropolis in that state has a repute for top temperatures (i.e. Palm Springs, Phoenix). Nonetheless, different cities inside that very same state might expertise a lot cooler climate, which brings the general state common down.
What are the most popular states within the U.S.?
1. Texas
- Common summer season temperature: 82.5°F
- Common annual temperature: 66.2°F
- Document highest temperature: 120°F (1936, 1994)
Filled with numerous cultures, cities, and cuisines, Texas is the most popular state within the U.S. Texas is so sizzling largely because of its flat panorama, most notably the Gulf Coast within the south, Chihuahuan Desert to the west, and Nice Plains all through. With few important modifications in elevation, together with simply one natural lake, many of the state surpasses 100°F in the course of the summer season months. And when warmth waves arrive, little or no blocks their path.
Not like different southern states, Texas sees each heat winters in its tropical southern coast and intensely sizzling summers in its western desert. El Paso is the hottest city in Texas, however cities like Corpus Christi alongside the Gulf of Mexico typically see much higher warmth indexes.
Final 12 months was the fourth-hottest 12 months in Texas historical past, though temperatures paled compared to the record-breaking years of 2023 and 2024.
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2. Louisiana
- Common summer season temperature: 82°F
- Common annual temperature: 67.5°F
- Document highest temperature: 114°F (1936)
Simply east of Texas, Louisiana is the second-hottest state within the U.S. The state’s warmth comes from its location on the Gulf of Mexico and close to the equator, serving to present heat, humid air for many of the 12 months. Heat domes, or extended pockets of excessive stress, can result in intense warmth waves.
Importantly, the warmth index plays a major role in Louisiana summers. For instance, the northern areas of the state can simply attain 95-100°F, in cities like Ruston and Monroe, whereas areas alongside the coast not often expertise temperatures above 95°F. Nonetheless, when accounting for humidity, the coast really feels hotter far more steadily than inland.
Local weather dangers are a giant concern for many of the state, particularly alongside the coast. Robust storms typically deliver flooding to cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge, which sit at or below sea level.
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3. Florida
- Common summer season temperature: 82°F
- Common annual temperature: 71.7°F
- Document highest temperature: 109°F (1931)
A state stuffed with pure magnificence, centuries of European historical past, and all of the facilities you might need, Florida is available in because the third-hottest state within the U.S.
Florida has a damp subtropical local weather and is by far the most popular state within the contiguous U.S. primarily based on common annual temperatures. The tropical local weather helps preserve temperatures heat year-round, however by no means extremely hot. Warmth indexes, nonetheless, can attain well over 110°F. 2025 was one of many hottest years on record for the state, that includes abnormally heat and dry climate that stretched for months on finish.
Florida is exclusive as a result of its local weather is very influenced by Atlantic Ocean temperatures, which reached record highs in 2024 and components of 2025 (together with most other oceans). Because the ocean heats up, so does the air, and excessive climate, together with warmth waves and hurricanes, turns into more common.
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4. Mississippi
- Common summer season temperature: 80.3°F
- Common annual temperature: 64.6°F
- Document highest temperature: 115°F (1930)
A deep south state recognized for its musical roots, Civil Rights history, and namesake Delta, Mississippi is the fourth-hottest state within the U.S. The state will get most of its warmth from the Gulf of Mexico—which, when mixed with very excessive humidity, could make summers exceptionally sizzling. Temperatures are pretty in the course of the winter, although, which is a good commerce off for a lot of residents.
Rainfall is pretty evenly distributed all year long, usually coming in robust bursts. Jackson, Mississippi’s largest metropolis, averages almost 60 inches of rain per 12 months.
Should you’re contemplating shifting to the Magnolia State, Mississippi is without doubt one of the least expensive states to purchase a home within the U.S. Shopping for a house in Tupelo, for instance, solely prices $250,000. The state’s poverty fee is the highest in the nation exterior of Puerto Rico, although.
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5. Oklahoma
- Common summer season temperature: 80.3°F
- Common annual temperature: 60.7°F
- Document highest temperature: 120°F (1936)
Oklahoma sees big swings in temperatures from season to season, largely due to its location on the Nice Plains – particular person climate methods usually dictate the local weather. Actually, if measured throughout some other season, Oklahoma wouldn’t make this checklist.
Typically, Oklahoma’s winters are cool and delicate, whereas summers are fairly sizzling and humid. Summers are sizzling because of southerly winds bringing sizzling, dry air from Texas and the Gulf of Mexico, which circulate uninterrupted over Oklahoma’s comparatively flat panorama. Massive temperature and humidity swings can produce excessive climate, too, particularly tornadoes and thunderstorms. The western Panhandle is the coldest region in Oklahoma.
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6. Georgia
- Common summer season temperature: 79.5°F
- Common annual temperature: 64.5°F
- Document highest temperature: 112°F (1952, 1983)
Georgia is available in at quantity six on our checklist of the most popular states within the U.S. Georgia is known for its beautifully-varied landscapes, from coastal plains across the metropolis of Savannah to the rolling hills in Atlanta. You’ll additionally discover facilities starting from skilled sports activities and massive aquariums, to historic museums and nice eating places.
Georgia’s local weather is defined by the new Gulf Mexico and cooling Appalachian Mountains, so the state sees all 4 seasons. Summers are sizzling and humid, whereas winters are delicate and will be chilly within the northeast, together with some snow. Winter freezes are uncommon, however summer season can deliver warmth waves and thunderstorms. Storms alongside the Atlantic coast usually are not unusual.
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7. Arizona
- Common summer season temperature: 79.5°F
- Common annual temperature: 61.4°F
- Document highest temperature: 128°F (1994)
A notoriously dry, sizzling state, Arizona is the seventh-hottest state within the U.S. The summer season of 2024 was by far the most popular in Arizona historical past, with temperatures 4.8°F above common. Yuma is the most popular metropolis within the state, in addition to the sunniest metropolis on the earth.
Arizona ranks so excessive primarily due to the acute summer season warmth frequent within the rapidly warming Sonoran desert, the place many of the state’s inhabitants lives. Nonetheless, the northern half of the state is comparatively delicate in the course of the summer season, particularly on the highest peaks of the Colorado Plateau, which helps deliver common temperatures down. Flagstaff, for instance, has a median July excessive temperature of 82.3°F, in comparison with 107.7°F in Phoenix.
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8. South Carolina
- Common summer season temperature: 79.4°F
- Common annual temperature: 63.6°F
- Document highest temperature: 113°F (2012)
South Carolina is understood for its southern hospitality, historic cities, pristine seashores, and heat, sunny climate. Houses are fairly inexpensive in lots of cities, too, like Columbia ($265,000) and Myrtle Seaside ($342,000). Heat climate, inexpensive properties, and loads of facilities is an interesting provide, and persons are profiting from it. South Carolina has grown faster than some other state for the final two years straight.
South Carolina’s local weather varies widely relying on the place you reside: The Blue Mountains within the northwest are a lot cooler than the nice and cozy, humid Lowcountry, for instance. Loads of rain falls year-round.
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9. Alabama
- Common summer season temperature: 79.4°F
- Common annual temperature: 63.9°F
- Document highest temperature: 112°F (1925)
Alabama is available in at quantity 9 on our checklist. Residence to the largest space museum in the world, pivotal Civil Rights landmarks, famend barbecue and seafood eating places, and a distinctly southern really feel, there’s rather a lot to like. Birmingham and Cell are Alabama’s largest cities.
Just like most southeastern states, Alabama’s climate is mostly heat and humid. Summers are fairly sizzling, particularly when accounting for humidity. Moreover, the state’s proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and Appalachian Mountains influences climate patterns, which might typically flip turbulent. Tornadoes and hurricanes are each main dangers close to the coast, whereas bursts of heavy rainfall are frequent year-round.
The most popular temperature recorded in Alabama was 112°F in Centreville, positioned within the flat higher coastal plain. Tuscaloosa is the state’s hottest metropolis on common.
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10. Arkansas
- Common summer season temperature: 79.3°F
- Common annual temperature: 61.4°F
- Document highest temperature: 120°F (1936)
Arkansas rounds out our checklist of the most popular states within the U.S. Just like most different southern states, Arkansas’ local weather is dictated by the Gulf of Mexico, which normally gives a constant stream of heat, humid air.
Even so, the state sees all 4 seasons and may expertise excessive warmth and bitter chilly. Ice storms usually happen at the very least as soon as per 12 months, whereas warmth waves are a standard incidence in the course of the summers. The state’s topography—hills within the west and flat plains all through the remaining—permits climate methods to roll in unimpeded.
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Methodology
Data comes from the Nationwide Facilities for Environmental Data (NCEI) and its guardian administration, the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Common summer season temperatures are a three-month common primarily based on information from June-August 1996-2025. Common annual temperatures are a twelve-month common primarily based on information from 1996-2025. Document-high temperature information discovered here. Housing information is as of January 2026.
