These U.S. Cities Have Recorded the Most 90-Degree Days in a Single Year

Linda Lam

Published: June 25, 2020

Record Number of Days With Highs of at Least 90 Degrees

Temperatures have topped the 90-degree mark many times already this year in numerous locations, but records for the most 90-degree days in a year will likely remain out of reach for most cities.

This summer is off to a hot start in many areas of the United States. Since June 1, portions of the Northeast, Midwest, Plains and California have experienced a top-10 warmest start to the season.

(MORE: Summer Weather Hazards to Watch Out For)

Below, we take a closer look at the records for the most 90-degree days in several cities across the U.S.

Northeast

Caribou, Maine, has experienced record heat already this summer. Highs have reached at least 90 degrees four times this year, which is more than halfway to its record. Caribou also tied its all-time record high of 96, although records only date to 1939.

Farther south, New York City recorded 39 days of highs of at least 90 degrees in 1991 and 1993, while more than two months of 90-degree days have occurred in Washington D.C. and Richmond, Virginia.

Record number of 90-degree days and the average number of 90-degree days (average is based on 1981-2010 data).

South

Many cities in the South have measured more than 100 days of 90-degree temperatures in a single year. This includes most of Florida and the Southern Plains. Orlando recorded over 150 days of temperatures soaring above 90 in 1919, which is more than 40 days higher than its average of 106 days.

The record for most 90-degree days in a year in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Atlanta is 91 days, close to double their average of 48 and 44 days, respectively. The record in Atlanta was set last year, but this year is a different story, with just two days of highs of at least 90 degrees, as of June 24.

Record number of 90-degree days and the highest temperature on record.

Midwest

The records for most 90-degree days in a year vary greatly in the Midwest.

Several cities in the region set records for 90-degree days in 1988. This includes Detroit, Michigan, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which set records of 39 and 36 days, respectively. Chicago and Minneapolis also set records in 1988.

Meanwhile, Kansas City, Missouri, saw almost three months' worth of highs in the 90s in 1936, the same year it set its all-time record high of 113 degrees. This excessive heat was due to the "Dust Bowl," when extensive drought and heat plagued parts of the region.

Record number of 90-degree days and the average number of 90-degree days (average is based on 1981-2010 data).

West

The record for most 90-degree days in the U.S., unsurprisingly, is Death Valley, California, where 220 days of highs of at least 90 degrees were measured in 1934. Death Valley holds the world record for the hottest recorded temperature of 134 degrees.

(MORE: Death Valley's Extreme Heat History)

Phoenix recorded 196 days – more than half a year – of highs 90 degrees or higher in 1989.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the most 90-degree days in a year in San Francisco is nine. San Francisco has a fairly mild climate, thanks in part to its location close to the cool Pacific Ocean.

Outside the Lower 48, Anchorage, Alaska, has recorded just one 90-degree day, July 4, 2019, while Hilo, Hawaii, experienced a dozen 90-degree days in 2015.

Record number of 90-degree days and the average number of 90-degree days.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.