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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 Iowa 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.

#9. May 1988 (tie)
- Average temperature: 65.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 79.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 51.2°F
- Total precipitation: 1.77"

#9. May 1896 (tie)
- Average temperature: 65.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 76.6°F
- Monthly low temperature: 53.8°F
- Total precipitation: 6.47"

#8. May 1987
- Average temperature: 65.3°F
- Monthly high temperature: 78°F
- Monthly low temperature: 52.6°F
- Total precipitation: 3.97"

#7. May 1941
- Average temperature: 65.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 77.9°F
- Monthly low temperature: 52.8°F
- Total precipitation: 3.16"

#6. May 1936
- Average temperature: 65.5°F
- Monthly high temperature: 77.9°F
- Monthly low temperature: 53.2°F
- Total precipitation: 2.78"

#5. May 1939
- Average temperature: 65.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 79.6°F
- Monthly low temperature: 51.8°F
- Total precipitation: 2.04"

#4. May 1962
- Average temperature: 65.8°F
- Monthly high temperature: 77°F
- Monthly low temperature: 54.6°F
- Total precipitation: 5.55"

#3. May 2018
- Average temperature: 67°F
- Monthly high temperature: 78.7°F
- Monthly low temperature: 55.3°F
- Total precipitation: 4.7"

#2. May 1977
- Average temperature: 67.1°F
- Monthly high temperature: 79°F
- Monthly low temperature: 55.1°F
- Total precipitation: 2.77"

#1. May 1934
- Average temperature: 69°F
- Monthly high temperature: 84.6°F
- Monthly low temperature: 53.3°F
- Total precipitation: 0.96"