Cities Where Summer Temperatures Are Skyrocketing
https://climate-crisis-247-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/07221106/5sxph7vqohu-150x150.jpgIn 2023, global temperatures hit their highest levels since record keeping began in 1850. Average surface temperatures on land and sea reached 2.12 degrees F in 2023, topping the previous annual high, reported in 2016, by a record margin of 0.27 degrees F. While there was reason to hope the historic spike in average temperatures represented an anomaly, any such optimism was quickly wiped away, as global temperatures continued to rise in 2024, averaging 2.32 degrees F, a new all-time high.
Not only was 2024 the warmest year on record globally, it was also the hottest year in North America. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, temperatures in the contiguous U.S. averaged 55.5 degrees F in 2024, well above the 52.0 degree F 20th century average – and 3.9 degrees F higher than the average temperature reported as recently as 1970.
Rising average temperatures in much of the U.S. reflect warming trends through each of the four seasons. But higher temperatures can be more palpable, and more dangerous, in the summer months. A study published in the journal of the American Medical Association found that at least 2,325 deaths in the U.S. in 2023 were heat related, contributing to over 21,500 heat-related deaths since 1999.
Historical data published by NOAA shows that the average temperature was 73.8 degrees F in the contiguous U.S. between June and August 2024 – 1.8 degrees F higher than the average over the same months in 1970. This average national increase, however, was eclipsed by the rate of change in several U.S. cities.
Using data from Climate Central, an independent, non-profit research organization, Climate Crisis 247 identified the cities where summer temperatures are rising the fastest. We reviewed data for over 240 American cities and identified those where average temperatures from June through August increased the most between 1970 and 2024. Supplemental data on change in the number of abnormally hot summer days over the same period is also from Climate Central. In select cities, additional data on average summer temperatures is from NOAA.
Among the 18 cities on this list, average summer temperatures were anywhere from 4.6 to 11.3 degrees F higher in 2024 than they were in 2023. The majority of cities on this list are located in the South and the Southwest, including seven cities in Texas alone. Arizona and Nevada are each home to two cities that rank on this list. Only four of these cities are in the Northern U.S. – including two in the Northwest and one in the Northeast.
18. Phoenix, Arizona
- Change in average summer temperature from 1970 to 2024: +4.6°F
- Change in number of abnormally hot summer days from 1970 to 2024: +39 days
- Average summer temperature from 1970 through 2024: 95.3°F
- Average summer temperature in 2024: 98.9°F
17. Erie, Pennsylvania
- Change in average summer temperature from 1970 to 2024: +4.6°F
- Change in number of abnormally hot summer days from 1970 to 2024: +25 days
- Average summer temperature from 1970 through 2024: 70.4°F
- Average summer temperature in 2024: 72.1°F
16. Houston, Texas
- Change in average summer temperature from 1970 to 2024: +4.6°F
- Change in number of abnormally hot summer days from 1970 to 2024: +56 days
- Average summer temperature from 1970 through 2024: 84.9°F
- Average summer temperature in 2024: 86.2°F
15. Tucson, Arizona
- Change in average summer temperature from 1970 to 2024: +4.7°F
- Change in number of abnormally hot summer days from 1970 to 2024: +43 days
- Average summer temperature from 1970 through 2024: 87.1°F
- Average summer temperature in 2024: 90°F
14. Austin, Texas
- Change in average summer temperature from 1970 to 2024: +4.7°F
- Change in number of abnormally hot summer days from 1970 to 2024: +50 days
- Average summer temperature from 1970 through 2024: 85.3°F
- Average summer temperature in 2024: 86.6°F
13. McAllen, Texas
- Change in average summer temperature from 1970 to 2024: +4.9°F
- Change in number of abnormally hot summer days from 1970 to 2024: +51 days
- Average summer temperature from 1970 through 2024: N/A
- Average summer temperature in 2024: N/A
12. San Angelo, Texas
- Change in average summer temperature from 1970 to 2024: +5°F
- Change in number of abnormally hot summer days from 1970 to 2024: +39 days
- Average summer temperature from 1970 through 2024: N/A
- Average summer temperature in 2024: N/A
11. Fresno, California
- Change in average summer temperature from 1970 to 2024: +5.1°F
- Change in number of abnormally hot summer days from 1970 to 2024: +34 days
- Average summer temperature from 1970 through 2024: 81°F
- Average summer temperature in 2024: 85.4°F
10. Medford, Oregon
- Change in average summer temperature from 1970 to 2024: +5.2°F
- Change in number of abnormally hot summer days from 1970 to 2024: +31 days
- Average summer temperature from 1970 through 2024: 72.7°F
- Average summer temperature in 2024: 74.6°F
9. Las Cruces, New Mexico
- Change in average summer temperature from 1970 to 2024: +5.4°F
- Change in number of abnormally hot summer days from 1970 to 2024: +52 days
- Average summer temperature from 1970 through 2024: N/A
- Average summer temperature in 2024: N/A
8. Tyler, Texas
- Change in average summer temperature from 1970 to 2024: +5.4°F
- Change in number of abnormally hot summer days from 1970 to 2024: +51 days
- Average summer temperature from 1970 through 2024: N/A
- Average summer temperature in 2024: N/A
7. Helena, Montana
- Change in average summer temperature from 1970 to 2024: +5.5°F
- Change in number of abnormally hot summer days from 1970 to 2024: +33 days
- Average summer temperature from 1970 through 2024: 67.5°F
- Average summer temperature in 2024: 69.7°F
6. Odessa, Texas
- Change in average summer temperature from 1970 to 2024: +5.5°F
- Change in number of abnormally hot summer days from 1970 to 2024: +46 days
- Average summer temperature from 1970 through 2024: N/A
- Average summer temperature in 2024: N/A
5. Salt Lake City, Utah
- Change in average summer temperature from 1970 to 2024: +5.9°F
- Change in number of abnormally hot summer days from 1970 to 2024: +41 days
- Average summer temperature from 1970 through 2024: 78.1°F
- Average summer temperature in 2024: 80.3°F
4. Las Vegas, Nevada
- Change in average summer temperature from 1970 to 2024: +6.1°F
- Change in number of abnormally hot summer days from 1970 to 2024: +43 days
- Average summer temperature from 1970 through 2024: 90.2°F
- Average summer temperature in 2024: 94.8°F
3. El Paso, Texas
- Change in average summer temperature from 1970 to 2024: +6.2°F
- Change in number of abnormally hot summer days from 1970 to 2024: +50 days
- Average summer temperature from 1970 through 2024: 84.5°F
- Average summer temperature in 2024: 88.1°F
2. Boise, Idaho
- Change in average summer temperature from 1970 to 2024: +6.3°F
- Change in number of abnormally hot summer days from 1970 to 2024: +35 days
- Average summer temperature from 1970 through 2024: 74.3°F
- Average summer temperature in 2024: 77.4°F
1. Reno, Nevada
- Change in average summer temperature from 1970 to 2024: +11.3°F
- Change in number of abnormally hot summer days from 1970 to 2024: +68 days
- Average summer temperature from 1970 through 2024: 73.6°F
- Average summer temperature in 2024: 77.5°F
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