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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 Louisiana 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 1921
- Average temperature: 56°F
- Monthly high temperature: 67.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 44.6°F
- Total precipitation: 4.6"

#9. December 1931
- Average temperature: 56.1°F
- Monthly high temperature: 64.6°F
- Monthly low temperature: 47.5°F
- Total precipitation: 11.44"

#7. December 1956 (tie)
- Average temperature: 56.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 68.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 45.5°F
- Total precipitation: 6.96"

#7. December 1923 (tie)
- Average temperature: 56.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 64.5°F
- Monthly low temperature: 49.2°F
- Total precipitation: 8.33"

#6. December 1922
- Average temperature: 57.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 67.6°F
- Monthly low temperature: 48.1°F
- Total precipitation: 6.44"

#5. December 1971
- Average temperature: 58.3°F
- Monthly high temperature: 66.9°F
- Monthly low temperature: 49.7°F
- Total precipitation: 9.61"

#4. December 2015
- Average temperature: 59.1°F
- Monthly high temperature: 68.9°F
- Monthly low temperature: 49.2°F
- Total precipitation: 5.69"

#3. December 1933
- Average temperature: 59.8°F
- Monthly high temperature: 70.9°F
- Monthly low temperature: 48.6°F
- Total precipitation: 5.44"

#2. December 1984
- Average temperature: 60.1°F
- Monthly high temperature: 69.6°F
- Monthly low temperature: 50.6°F
- Total precipitation: 2.51"

#1. December 2021
- Average temperature: 62.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 71.7°F
- Monthly low temperature: 53°F
- Total precipitation: 2.72"