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In 2022, the continental United States experienced its , according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, while 20 states saw one of their in the same month. The year prior, July marked the .

Climate change is driving rising temperatures and more record heat. The has climbed each decade since 1880 by about .14 degrees Fahrenheit, or roughly 2 degrees Fahrenheit total.

compiled a ranking of the hottest Mays in Arkansas since 1895 using data from the . Rankings are based on the highest average temperature in each month. For each of the hottest months listed below, we've included the average state temperature, state-wide highs and lows for the month, and the total precipitation.

#10. May 1996 (tie)
- Average temperature: 72.3°F
- Monthly high temperature: 82.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 62.3°F
- Total precipitation: 3.85"

#10. May 1991 (tie)
- Average temperature: 72.3°F
- Monthly high temperature: 81.5°F
- Monthly low temperature: 63°F
- Total precipitation: 5.57"

#10. May 1959 (tie)
- Average temperature: 72.3°F
- Monthly high temperature: 82.9°F
- Monthly low temperature: 61.7°F
- Total precipitation: 3.42"

#8. May 1998 (tie)
- Average temperature: 72.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 84.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 61.2°F
- Total precipitation: 3.41"

#8. May 1899 (tie)
- Average temperature: 72.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 82.1°F
- Monthly low temperature: 63.3°F
- Total precipitation: 6.54"

#7. May 2024
- Average temperature: 72.8°F
- Monthly high temperature: 82.6°F
- Monthly low temperature: 63°F
- Total precipitation: 6.28"

#6. May 1902
- Average temperature: 73°F
- Monthly high temperature: 83.7°F
- Monthly low temperature: 62.3°F
- Total precipitation: 4.06"

#4. May 2012 (tie)
- Average temperature: 73.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 85.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 61.2°F
- Total precipitation: 1.47"

#4. May 1987 (tie)
- Average temperature: 73.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 84.5°F
- Monthly low temperature: 61.9°F
- Total precipitation: 5.11"

#3. May 1962
- Average temperature: 73.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 86.4°F
- Monthly low temperature: 61.3°F
- Total precipitation: 2.24"

#2. May 1896
- Average temperature: 74.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 85.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 63.3°F
- Total precipitation: 3.72"

#1. May 2018
- Average temperature: 75°F
- Monthly high temperature: 86.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 63.8°F
- Total precipitation: 3.28"