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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 South Carolina 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 1902 (tie)
- Average temperature: 73.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 86.1°F
- Monthly low temperature: 61.4°F
- Total precipitation: 2.48"

#9. May 1899 (tie)
- Average temperature: 73.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 86.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 61.2°F
- Total precipitation: 1.9"

#8. May 2018
- Average temperature: 73.8°F
- Monthly high temperature: 84.4°F
- Monthly low temperature: 63.2°F
- Total precipitation: 6.19"

#7. May 1965
- Average temperature: 74°F
- Monthly high temperature: 87.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 60.8°F
- Total precipitation: 2.17"

#6. May 2004
- Average temperature: 74.1°F
- Monthly high temperature: 86°F
- Monthly low temperature: 62.3°F
- Total precipitation: 2.89"

#5. May 1962
- Average temperature: 75.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 89°F
- Monthly low temperature: 61.4°F
- Total precipitation: 2.01"

#2. May 2019 (tie)
- Average temperature: 75.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 87.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 63.5°F
- Total precipitation: 2.15"

#2. May 1953 (tie)
- Average temperature: 75.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 87.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 63°F
- Total precipitation: 3.76"

#2. May 1933 (tie)
- Average temperature: 75.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 88.4°F
- Monthly low temperature: 62.4°F
- Total precipitation: 3.21"

#1. May 1896
- Average temperature: 76.6°F
- Monthly high temperature: 88.5°F
- Monthly low temperature: 64.6°F
- Total precipitation: 2.96"