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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 Februarys 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. February 1932
- Average temperature: 37.1°F
- Monthly high temperature: 46.9°F
- Monthly low temperature: 27.2°F
- Total precipitation: 1.34"

#9. February 1992
- Average temperature: 37.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 45.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 29.1°F
- Total precipitation: 1.46"

#7. February 2000 (tie)
- Average temperature: 37.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 46.4°F
- Monthly low temperature: 28.4°F
- Total precipitation: 2.53"

#7. February 1999 (tie)
- Average temperature: 37.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 45.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 29.1°F
- Total precipitation: 2.42"

#6. February 1976
- Average temperature: 38°F
- Monthly high temperature: 48.5°F
- Monthly low temperature: 27.4°F
- Total precipitation: 2.09"

#5. February 1930
- Average temperature: 38.6°F
- Monthly high temperature: 47.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 29.4°F
- Total precipitation: 1.93"

#4. February 1954
- Average temperature: 38.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 49.1°F
- Monthly low temperature: 28.8°F
- Total precipitation: 1.83"

#3. February 1998
- Average temperature: 40°F
- Monthly high temperature: 46.9°F
- Monthly low temperature: 33.2°F
- Total precipitation: 2.53"

#2. February 2024
- Average temperature: 40.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 52.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 29°F
- Total precipitation: 0.48"

#1. February 2017
- Average temperature: 41.1°F
- Monthly high temperature: 52°F
- Monthly low temperature: 30.2°F
- Total precipitation: 0.73"