±¬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 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.

#10. February 1991
- Average temperature: 30.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 43.1°F
- Monthly low temperature: 18.7°F
- Total precipitation: 0.85"

#9. February 2016
- Average temperature: 31.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 41°F
- Monthly low temperature: 21.4°F
- Total precipitation: 0.58"

#8. February 1992
- Average temperature: 31.3°F
- Monthly high temperature: 41.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 21.3°F
- Total precipitation: 0.68"

#7. February 1930
- Average temperature: 31.5°F
- Monthly high temperature: 42.5°F
- Monthly low temperature: 20.5°F
- Total precipitation: 0.82"

#6. February 1987
- Average temperature: 31.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 41.9°F
- Monthly low temperature: 21.5°F
- Total precipitation: 1.38"

#5. February 1931
- Average temperature: 32°F
- Monthly high temperature: 43.9°F
- Monthly low temperature: 20.2°F
- Total precipitation: 0.3"

#3. February 2024 (tie)
- Average temperature: 32.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 43.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 22.2°F
- Total precipitation: 0.44"

#3. February 1998 (tie)
- Average temperature: 32.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 40.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 24.5°F
- Total precipitation: 0.77"

#2. February 1999
- Average temperature: 32.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 43.5°F
- Monthly low temperature: 22.2°F
- Total precipitation: 0.28"

#1. February 1954
- Average temperature: 36.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 48.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 24°F
- Total precipitation: 0.49"