Hottest Decembers in Illinois since 1895
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 Decembers in Illinois 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.
#10. December 1971
- Average temperature: 36.2掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 43.4掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 29.1掳F
- Total precipitation: 5.51"
#9. December 2012
- Average temperature: 36.8掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 44.6掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 29掳F
- Total precipitation: 2.25"
#8. December 1918
- Average temperature: 37掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 45掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 29.1掳F
- Total precipitation: 3.42"
#7. December 1965
- Average temperature: 37.3掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 45.4掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 29.1掳F
- Total precipitation: 2.88"
#6. December 1982
- Average temperature: 37.9掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 45.2掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 30.7掳F
- Total precipitation: 7.17"
#5. December 1931
- Average temperature: 38.3掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 45.2掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 31.4掳F
- Total precipitation: 2.9"
#4. December 1923
- Average temperature: 38.9掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 47.2掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 30.6掳F
- Total precipitation: 3.56"
#3. December 2023
- Average temperature: 39.6掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 46.6掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 32.5掳F
- Total precipitation: 2.76"
#2. December 2021
- Average temperature: 40.2掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 49.7掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 30.6掳F
- Total precipitation: 2.52"
#1. December 2015
- Average temperature: 41.1掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 48.3掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 33.9掳F
- Total precipitation: 6.67"
