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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 West Virginia 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 1953 (tie)
- Average temperature: 65.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 77.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 53.5°F
- Total precipitation: 4.62"

#9. May 1918 (tie)
- Average temperature: 65.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 78.7°F
- Monthly low temperature: 52.1°F
- Total precipitation: 4.52"

#8. May 2019
- Average temperature: 65.5°F
- Monthly high temperature: 76.9°F
- Monthly low temperature: 54°F
- Total precipitation: 5.54"

#7. May 2012
- Average temperature: 65.8°F
- Monthly high temperature: 77.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 53.8°F
- Total precipitation: 4.94"

#5. May 2004 (tie)
- Average temperature: 65.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 78.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 53.6°F
- Total precipitation: 6.53"

#5. May 1962 (tie)
- Average temperature: 65.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 79.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 52.5°F
- Total precipitation: 3.18"

#4. May 1944
- Average temperature: 66.6°F
- Monthly high temperature: 80.7°F
- Monthly low temperature: 52.6°F
- Total precipitation: 4.44"

#3. May 1991
- Average temperature: 67.1°F
- Monthly high temperature: 79.1°F
- Monthly low temperature: 55.1°F
- Total precipitation: 2.17"

#2. May 1896
- Average temperature: 67.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 80.4°F
- Monthly low temperature: 55°F
- Total precipitation: 3.01"

#1. May 2018
- Average temperature: 67.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 80°F
- Monthly low temperature: 55.6°F
- Total precipitation: 6.16"