News Climate

The last 30 years were the hottest on record for the United States

The average U.S. temperature for 1991–2020 was 53.3° F, up from 52.8° F during 1981–2010

person walking by an electronic sign in Phoenix that reads 122 degrees and 6:27pm

The U.S. Southwest sweltered under months of blistering temperatures in 2020, including a record-breaking June heat wave (shown) in Phoenix.

Ralph Freso/Getty Images Plus

By Carolyn Gramling

- More than 2 years ago

Read another version of this article at Science News Explores

There’s a new normal for U.S.