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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 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.

#9. May 1998 (tie)
- Average temperature: 59.8°F
- Monthly high temperature: 70.4°F
- Monthly low temperature: 49.2°F
- Total precipitation: 5.6"

#9. May 1918 (tie)
- Average temperature: 59.8°F
- Monthly high temperature: 71.1°F
- Monthly low temperature: 48.6°F
- Total precipitation: 2.06"

#9. May 1896 (tie)
- Average temperature: 59.8°F
- Monthly high temperature: 71.6°F
- Monthly low temperature: 48°F
- Total precipitation: 2.68"

#8. May 1942
- Average temperature: 60°F
- Monthly high temperature: 70.1°F
- Monthly low temperature: 50°F
- Total precipitation: 1.96"

#7. May 2022
- Average temperature: 60.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 70°F
- Monthly low temperature: 50.7°F
- Total precipitation: 1.86"

#6. May 2012
- Average temperature: 60.6°F
- Monthly high temperature: 69.4°F
- Monthly low temperature: 51.9°F
- Total precipitation: 4.58"

#5. May 2010
- Average temperature: 60.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 72°F
- Monthly low temperature: 49.8°F
- Total precipitation: 2.73"

#3. May 2015 (tie)
- Average temperature: 61.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 73.1°F
- Monthly low temperature: 49.4°F
- Total precipitation: 1.03"

#3. May 1944 (tie)
- Average temperature: 61.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 73.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 49.1°F
- Total precipitation: 0.9"

#2. May 2018
- Average temperature: 61.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 72.1°F
- Monthly low temperature: 50.7°F
- Total precipitation: 2.33"

#1. May 1991
- Average temperature: 61.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 74.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 49.6°F
- Total precipitation: 3.19"