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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 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. May 1998 (tie)
- Average temperature: 67.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 77.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 57°F
- Total precipitation: 4.78"

#10. May 1982 (tie)
- Average temperature: 67.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 78.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 56°F
- Total precipitation: 4.5"

#9. May 1911
- Average temperature: 67.5°F
- Monthly high temperature: 80.7°F
- Monthly low temperature: 54.4°F
- Total precipitation: 1.9"

#8. May 2007
- Average temperature: 67.6°F
- Monthly high temperature: 79.4°F
- Monthly low temperature: 55.7°F
- Total precipitation: 2.24"

#7. May 2012
- Average temperature: 68.1°F
- Monthly high temperature: 80.5°F
- Monthly low temperature: 55.7°F
- Total precipitation: 2.47"

#6. May 1987
- Average temperature: 68.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 80.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 55.4°F
- Total precipitation: 2.6"

#5. May 1991
- Average temperature: 68.6°F
- Monthly high temperature: 78.6°F
- Monthly low temperature: 58.5°F
- Total precipitation: 4.99"

#3. May 1977 (tie)
- Average temperature: 68.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 81.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 56.5°F
- Total precipitation: 3.23"

#3. May 1896 (tie)
- Average temperature: 68.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 80.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 57.4°F
- Total precipitation: 5.69"

#2. May 1962
- Average temperature: 69.3°F
- Monthly high temperature: 80.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 57.9°F
- Total precipitation: 4.54"

#1. May 2018
- Average temperature: 70.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 82.4°F
- Monthly low temperature: 59°F
- Total precipitation: 3.8"