List of Hottest States in the United States - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Data

The last few years have been the hottest on record, with scorching temperatures extending into 2024 and 2025. As global temperatures continue to rise, the US is facing increasingly hotter weather patterns, particularly in the Southern and Western regions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed that 2023 was officially the hottest year in recorded history, and the heatwave hasn't let up in 2024.

While the entire country has experienced a warming trend, certain states stood out for their exceptionally high average maximum temperatures. Surprisingly, Death Valley, California, recorded the hottest average city temperature at a staggering 90.3°F, but the state did not make the top list. Instead, the hottest states were concentrated in the South, with Hawaii taking the top spot.

List of The Hottest States In the U.S. 

Below are the 5 hottest U.S. states in 2023, based on NOAA’s analysis of average maximum statewide temperatures across the entire year, from winter to summer.

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1. Hawaii

Average Max Temperature: 83.6°F

Hottest County: Hilo, Kahului, and Lihue (island average)

Hawaii tops the chart with its tropical year-round climate. Though not traditionally seen as extreme, the consistently warm temperatures across its islands push it to No. 1.

2. Florida

Average Max Temperature: 83.4°F

Hottest County: Monroe County

With its humid subtropical and tropical climate, Florida was just shy of Hawaii. South Florida’s scorching summers and warm winters drove up the state average.

3. Texas

Average Max Temperature: 80.5°F

Hottest County: Hidalgo & Starr Counties

Texas remains a hotspot, literally. Long summers, dry spells, and urban heat in cities like Houston and Dallas keep its temperatures soaring.

4. Louisiana

Average Max Temperature: 80.2°F

Hottest County: Plaquemines Parish

With oppressive humidity and high summer temperatures, Louisiana recorded one of its hottest years ever.

5. Mississippi

Average Max Temperature: 78.2°F

Hottest County: Hancock County

The Deep South state continued to see warming trends, especially along the Gulf Coast.

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Overview

Experts warn that the string of record-breaking months may be the new normal unless significant climate action is taken. Rising temperatures have implications for health, agriculture, and infrastructure, especially in the southern U.S., which is now consistently reporting higher annual averages.