±¬ÁÏTV

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 Februarys in Rhode Island 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. February 1981 (tie)
- Average temperature: 34.6°F
- Monthly high temperature: 43.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 25.4°F
- Total precipitation: 5.9"

#10. February 1925 (tie)
- Average temperature: 34.6°F
- Monthly high temperature: 43.4°F
- Monthly low temperature: 25.7°F
- Total precipitation: 2.1"

#9. February 1954
- Average temperature: 34.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 43.9°F
- Monthly low temperature: 25.6°F
- Total precipitation: 2.78"

#8. February 2002
- Average temperature: 34.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 44.9°F
- Monthly low temperature: 24.8°F
- Total precipitation: 1.91"

#7. February 2017
- Average temperature: 35.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 44.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 25.6°F
- Total precipitation: 2.32"

#5. February 2020 (tie)
- Average temperature: 35.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 43.5°F
- Monthly low temperature: 27.3°F
- Total precipitation: 3.3"

#5. February 1997 (tie)
- Average temperature: 35.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 43.6°F
- Monthly low temperature: 27.1°F
- Total precipitation: 2.13"

#4. February 1984
- Average temperature: 35.6°F
- Monthly high temperature: 44°F
- Monthly low temperature: 27.3°F
- Total precipitation: 6.38"

#3. February 2012
- Average temperature: 35.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 45.1°F
- Monthly low temperature: 26.2°F
- Total precipitation: 1.17"

#2. February 1998
- Average temperature: 36°F
- Monthly high temperature: 43.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 28.2°F
- Total precipitation: 5.64"

#1. February 2018
- Average temperature: 37.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 46.4°F
- Monthly low temperature: 28.9°F
- Total precipitation: 5.68"