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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 Kentucky 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 1965
- Average temperature: 68.8°F
- Monthly high temperature: 81.4°F
- Monthly low temperature: 56.1°F
- Total precipitation: 2.21"

#9. May 1902
- Average temperature: 69.1°F
- Monthly high temperature: 81.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 56.4°F
- Total precipitation: 3.49"

#8. May 2004
- Average temperature: 69.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 80°F
- Monthly low temperature: 58.3°F
- Total precipitation: 8.28"

#7. May 2012
- Average temperature: 69.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 81.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 57.4°F
- Total precipitation: 4.25"

#6. May 1987
- Average temperature: 69.5°F
- Monthly high temperature: 82.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 56.6°F
- Total precipitation: 2.9"

#5. May 1944
- Average temperature: 69.8°F
- Monthly high temperature: 82.5°F
- Monthly low temperature: 57.1°F
- Total precipitation: 3.62"

#4. May 1991
- Average temperature: 70°F
- Monthly high temperature: 80.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 59.8°F
- Total precipitation: 4.17"

#3. May 1896
- Average temperature: 70.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 83.1°F
- Monthly low temperature: 57.7°F
- Total precipitation: 4.75"

#2. May 1962
- Average temperature: 71°F
- Monthly high temperature: 84°F
- Monthly low temperature: 57.9°F
- Total precipitation: 4.36"

#1. May 2018
- Average temperature: 71.8°F
- Monthly high temperature: 83.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 60.5°F
- Total precipitation: 4.88"