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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 Montana 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: 54.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 69°F
- Monthly low temperature: 40.3°F
- Total precipitation: 2.25"

#9. May 1987 (tie)
- Average temperature: 54.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 67.7°F
- Monthly low temperature: 41.6°F
- Total precipitation: 3.15"

#8. May 1928
- Average temperature: 55.3°F
- Monthly high temperature: 70.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 40.4°F
- Total precipitation: 0.75"

#7. May 2018
- Average temperature: 55.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 68.1°F
- Monthly low temperature: 43.2°F
- Total precipitation: 2.8"

#6. May 1901
- Average temperature: 56.1°F
- Monthly high temperature: 69.4°F
- Monthly low temperature: 42.8°F
- Total precipitation: 3.2"

#5. May 2023
- Average temperature: 56.3°F
- Monthly high temperature: 69.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 43.3°F
- Total precipitation: 2.78"

#4. May 1897
- Average temperature: 56.8°F
- Monthly high temperature: 71.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 41.6°F
- Total precipitation: 1.2"

#3. May 1958
- Average temperature: 57.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 72.7°F
- Monthly low temperature: 41.6°F
- Total precipitation: 0.96"

#2. May 1936
- Average temperature: 57.5°F
- Monthly high temperature: 72.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 42.2°F
- Total precipitation: 1.09"

#1. May 1934
- Average temperature: 58.3°F
- Monthly high temperature: 74.1°F
- Monthly low temperature: 42.5°F
- Total precipitation: 0.72"