Sweating at Noon, Shivering by Dusk: U.S. Cities With the Biggest Daily Temperature Swings
https://climatecrisis247.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/830829-150x150.jpegSpring can be a hard time to dress. As the days get hotter, cooler nights persist, leading to wild variations in temperature that can leave people severely under- or over-dressed. On a recent Saturday in New York City, temperatures dropped 26 degrees in just one hour – sending picnic-goers running for shelter and setting a record for the fastest temperature swing in city history.
DOGE backlash? The Federal Departments Americans Want To Keep
Dying for air? Climate Activism Is Turning Deadly In These Cities
In some cities, it is normal for the temperature to shift more than 30 degrees in a single day. In the United States, diurnal temperature variation is highest in arid, high-elevation regions in Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, California, and New Mexico. In some desert cities, residents regularly experience temperature shifts greater than 35 degrees in a single day, and temperature shifts greater than 45 degrees on extreme days. A closer look at the data reveals the cities with the biggest daily temperature swings.
To determine the cities with the biggest daily temperature swings, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on climate normals for 2006 to 2020 from the NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information. Cities with at least 100,000 residents were ranked based on the difference between the average daily temperature minimum and the average daily temperature maximum for the years 2006 to 2020. Data for weather stations were aggregated to the city level using GIS. Only weather stations within 20 miles of a city’s boundaries were aggregated.
16. Las Vegas, NV
- Average daily temperature range: 47.6°F min to 78.6°F max (+31.0°F)
- Biggest swing day: June 17th (62.2°F min to 98.4°F max)
- Average year-round temperature: 63.1°F
15. Colorado Springs, CO
- Average daily temperature range: 28.4°F min to 59.6°F max (+31.2°F)
- Biggest swing day: June 19th (44.5°F min to 79.2°F max)
- Average year-round temperature: 44.0°F
14. Los Angeles, CA
- Average daily temperature range: 51.2°F min to 82.4°F max (+31.2°F)
- Biggest swing day: August 27th (61.2°F min to 98.4°F max)
- Average year-round temperature: 66.8°F
13. Moreno Valley, CA
- Average daily temperature range: 48.2°F min to 79.5°F max (+31.3°F)
- Biggest swing day: August 26th (62.0°F min to 96.8°F max)
- Average year-round temperature: 63.8°F
12. Lakewood, CO
- Average daily temperature range: 29.0°F min to 60.7°F max (+31.6°F)
- Biggest swing day: September 1st (43.8°F min to 78.3°F max)
- Average year-round temperature: 44.8°F
11. Escondido, CA
- Average daily temperature range: 47.7°F min to 79.3°F max (+31.6°F)
- Biggest swing day: October 23rd (45.9°F min to 82.6°F max)
- Average year-round temperature: 63.5°F
10. San Tan Valley, AZ
- Average daily temperature range: 55.6°F min to 87.4°F max (+31.8°F)
- Biggest swing day: June 4th (64.8°F min to 102.1°F max)
- Average year-round temperature: 71.5°F
9. Fort Collins, CO
- Average daily temperature range: 32.8°F min to 65.2°F max (+32.4°F)
- Biggest swing day: August 28th (50.7°F min to 86.4°F max)
- Average year-round temperature: 49.0°F
8. Pueblo, CO
- Average daily temperature range: 37.0°F min to 69.9°F max (+32.9°F)
- Biggest swing day: November 10th (26.0°F min to 62.1°F max)
- Average year-round temperature: 53.4°F
7. Rio Rancho, NM
- Average daily temperature range: 38.6°F min to 71.5°F max (+32.9°F)
- Biggest swing day: June 9th (51.0°F min to 91.0°F max)
- Average year-round temperature: 55.0°F
6. Tempe, AZ
- Average daily temperature range: 55.7°F min to 88.9°F max (+33.2°F)
- Biggest swing day: June 7th (64.6°F min to 102.5°F max)
- Average year-round temperature: 72.3°F
5. Ventura, CA
- Average daily temperature range: 43.9°F min to 78.1°F max (+34.1°F)
- Biggest swing day: August 29th (53.8°F min to 92.9°F max)
- Average year-round temperature: 61.0°F
4. Albuquerque, NM
- Average daily temperature range: 39.2°F min to 74.7°F max (+35.5°F)
- Biggest swing day: June 8th (51.6°F min to 94.1°F max)
- Average year-round temperature: 57.0°F
3. Las Cruces, NM
- Average daily temperature range: 41.9°F min to 77.9°F max (+36.0°F)
- Biggest swing day: March 31st (35.3°F min to 76.0°F max)
- Average year-round temperature: 59.9°F
2. Tucson, AZ
- Average daily temperature range: 48.0°F min to 84.4°F max (+36.4°F)
- Biggest swing day: June 5th (56.1°F min to 99.6°F max)
- Average year-round temperature: 66.2°F
1. Reno, NV
- Average daily temperature range: 25.8°F min to 63.5°F max (+37.7°F)
- Biggest swing day: August 29th (34.3°F min to 85.1°F max)
- Average year-round temperature: 44.6°F
More from ClimateCrisis 247
- Want To Lower Your Carbon Footprint? Eat These Foods
- From Alaska To Texas, Water Levels Are Approaching Historic Lows In These Places
- Cities Where Summer Temperatures Are Skyrocketing
- Beef, Cheese, Chocolate: These Are the Most Carbon Intensive Foods