Hottest Decembers in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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.
#9. December 2012 (tie)
- Average temperature: 37.6掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 45.1掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 30.2掳F
- Total precipitation: 5.82"
#9. December 1996 (tie)
- Average temperature: 37.6掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 44.6掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 30.6掳F
- Total precipitation: 7.55"
#9. December 1953 (tie)
- Average temperature: 37.6掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 46.4掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 28.8掳F
- Total precipitation: 5.34"
#8. December 1998
- Average temperature: 37.7掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 46.9掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 28.5掳F
- Total precipitation: 1.53"
#7. December 1990
- Average temperature: 38.2掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 47.1掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 29.2掳F
- Total precipitation: 5.21"
#5. December 2021 (tie)
- Average temperature: 38.6掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 46.3掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 30.9掳F
- Total precipitation: 1.97"
#5. December 2001 (tie)
- Average temperature: 38.6掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 47掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 30.2掳F
- Total precipitation: 2.71"
#4. December 2011
- Average temperature: 39掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 48.1掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 29.9掳F
- Total precipitation: 3.99"
#2. December 2023 (tie)
- Average temperature: 39.7掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 47.7掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 31.8掳F
- Total precipitation: 7.82"
#2. December 2006 (tie)
- Average temperature: 39.7掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 48.2掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 31.2掳F
- Total precipitation: 2.28"
#1. December 2015
- Average temperature: 45.3掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 53.3掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 37.3掳F
- Total precipitation: 5.22"
