All-Time State High Temperatures

By The Numbers

Have you ever wondered what the warmest temperature has been for your state? What about the highest measured in the United States? You can view these records, as well as others on the State Climate Extremes Committee tab on National Centers for Environmental Information webpage. Other state records include minimum temperature, 24-hour precipitation, 24-snowfall, snow depth, and largest hail size if available. This blog will focus on all-time high temperatures by state.

Including the Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, there are 78 state all-time high temperatures. The District of Columbia is not included. Here are some facts by the numbers.

• The warmest temperature measured in the United States is 134°F in Greenland Ranch, California on July 10th, 1913.
• All states, including Alaska and Hawaii, have reached 100°F.
• Maryland and Oklahoma lead the way with four records each.
  • Maryland – 109°F (July 3rd,1898, Aug 6th, 1918, Aug 7th, 1918, July 10th, 1936)
  • Oklahoma – 120°F (July 18th, 1936, July 19th, 1936, Aug 10th, 1936, Aug 12th, 1936)

• Nebraska, Virgin Islands, and Virginia have three records.
  • Nebraska – 118°F (July 15th, 1934, July 17th, 1936, July 24th, 1936)
  • Virgin Islands – 99°F (July 31st, 1988, Aug 4th, 1994, June 23rd, 1996)
  • Virginia – 110°F (July 5th and 7th, 1990, July 15th, 1954)

• Seven locations have set their state’s record more than once.
  • North Bridgton, Maine – 105°F on July 4th and July 10th, 1911.
  • Cumberland, Maryland – 109°F on August 6th & 7th, 1918.
  • Altus Iris Res Station – 120°F on July 19th, 1936 and August 12th, 1936.
  • Phoenixville 1E, Pennsylvania – 111°F on July 9th, & 10th, 1936.
  • Perryville, Tennessee – 113°F on July 29th, 1930 and August 9th, 1930.
  • Charlotte Amalia Cyril E King AP, Virgin Islands – 99°F on August 4, 1994 and June 23, 1996.
  • Columbia 2SSE, Virginia – 110°F on July 5th & 7th, 1900.

• Records by month.
  • July – 50
  • August – 18
  • June – 8
  • April and September – 1

• Records by decade.
  • 1930s – 35
  • 1910s – 10
  • 1990s – 8
  • 1980s – 6
  • 1950s – 5
  • 1890s – 4
  • 1920s – 3
  • 1900s, 1970s – 2
  • 1960s, 2000s, 2010s – 1
  • The only decade since 1890 with zero records, the 1940s.

• Oldest Record.
  • Glendive, Montana – 117°F on July 20th, 1893.

• Newest Record.
  • Columbia University of South Carolina, SC – 113°F on June 29th, 2012.

• Most Usual Location Name.
  • Ice Harbor Dam in Washington reached 118°F on August 5th, 1961.

Interested in exploring more about all-time maximum temperatures by state? Here is a Google Map of their records. If you click on an icon, you can view the actually Cooperative Observer’s form when available. Enjoy!