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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 Decembers in Illinois 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. December 1971
- Average temperature: 36.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 43.4°F
- Monthly low temperature: 29.1°F
- Total precipitation: 5.51"

#9. December 2012
- Average temperature: 36.8°F
- Monthly high temperature: 44.6°F
- Monthly low temperature: 29°F
- Total precipitation: 2.25"

#8. December 1918
- Average temperature: 37°F
- Monthly high temperature: 45°F
- Monthly low temperature: 29.1°F
- Total precipitation: 3.42"

#7. December 1965
- Average temperature: 37.3°F
- Monthly high temperature: 45.4°F
- Monthly low temperature: 29.1°F
- Total precipitation: 2.88"

#6. December 1982
- Average temperature: 37.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 45.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 30.7°F
- Total precipitation: 7.17"

#5. December 1931
- Average temperature: 38.3°F
- Monthly high temperature: 45.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 31.4°F
- Total precipitation: 2.9"

#4. December 1923
- Average temperature: 38.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 47.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 30.6°F
- Total precipitation: 3.56"

#3. December 2023
- Average temperature: 39.6°F
- Monthly high temperature: 46.6°F
- Monthly low temperature: 32.5°F
- Total precipitation: 2.76"

#2. December 2021
- Average temperature: 40.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 49.7°F
- Monthly low temperature: 30.6°F
- Total precipitation: 2.52"

#1. December 2015
- Average temperature: 41.1°F
- Monthly high temperature: 48.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 33.9°F
- Total precipitation: 6.67"