±¬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 Decembers in South Dakota 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. December 2002 (tie)
- Average temperature: 27.3°F
- Monthly high temperature: 38.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 16.2°F
- Total precipitation: 0.24"

#9. December 1991 (tie)
- Average temperature: 27.3°F
- Monthly high temperature: 38.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 16.3°F
- Total precipitation: 0.07"

#9. December 1965 (tie)
- Average temperature: 27.3°F
- Monthly high temperature: 37.4°F
- Monthly low temperature: 17.3°F
- Total precipitation: 0.55"

#8. December 1997
- Average temperature: 28°F
- Monthly high temperature: 37.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 18.8°F
- Total precipitation: 0.15"

#7. December 1979
- Average temperature: 28.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 41.4°F
- Monthly low temperature: 15.1°F
- Total precipitation: 0.09"

#6. December 2020
- Average temperature: 28.3°F
- Monthly high temperature: 39.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 16.7°F
- Total precipitation: 0.35"

#5. December 1959
- Average temperature: 28.5°F
- Monthly high temperature: 37.4°F
- Monthly low temperature: 19.6°F
- Total precipitation: 0.46"

#4. December 1957
- Average temperature: 29°F
- Monthly high temperature: 40.9°F
- Monthly low temperature: 17°F
- Total precipitation: 0.13"

#3. December 1999
- Average temperature: 29.1°F
- Monthly high temperature: 40.9°F
- Monthly low temperature: 17.4°F
- Total precipitation: 0.18"

#2. December 1939
- Average temperature: 29.8°F
- Monthly high temperature: 41.7°F
- Monthly low temperature: 17.9°F
- Total precipitation: 0.32"

#1. December 2023
- Average temperature: 31.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 41.9°F
- Monthly low temperature: 20.6°F
- Total precipitation: 1.18"