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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 Washington 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. May 1957 (tie)
- Average temperature: 55.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 66.7°F
- Monthly low temperature: 44.7°F
- Total precipitation: 2.69"

#10. May 1936 (tie)
- Average temperature: 55.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 68.1°F
- Monthly low temperature: 43.3°F
- Total precipitation: 2.9"

#9. May 1897
- Average temperature: 55.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 69°F
- Monthly low temperature: 42.8°F
- Total precipitation: 1.8"

#7. May 2015 (tie)
- Average temperature: 56°F
- Monthly high temperature: 67.6°F
- Monthly low temperature: 44.5°F
- Total precipitation: 1.51"

#7. May 1992 (tie)
- Average temperature: 56°F
- Monthly high temperature: 69.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 42.3°F
- Total precipitation: 0.61"

#5. May 1947 (tie)
- Average temperature: 56.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 69.6°F
- Monthly low temperature: 42.8°F
- Total precipitation: 0.66"

#5. May 1924 (tie)
- Average temperature: 56.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 71.1°F
- Monthly low temperature: 41.2°F
- Total precipitation: 0.37"

#4. May 1993
- Average temperature: 57°F
- Monthly high temperature: 68.6°F
- Monthly low temperature: 45.4°F
- Total precipitation: 3.04"

#3. May 2018
- Average temperature: 57.6°F
- Monthly high temperature: 69.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 45.9°F
- Total precipitation: 1.08"

#1. May 2023 (tie)
- Average temperature: 58.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 70.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 46.2°F
- Total precipitation: 1.27"

#1. May 1958 (tie)
- Average temperature: 58.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 71.9°F
- Monthly low temperature: 44.5°F
- Total precipitation: 1.12"