New Rankings Identify States’ Warmest Januarys Since 1895

Overview

• Local stations including KTVZ, KRDO and KVIA published Stacker’s NCEI-based state compilations this week, which list statewide average temperatures with monthly highs, lows and precipitation.
• Oregon’s list shows January 2003 and January 1953 tied for the top spot at a 39°F average statewide temperature.
• Colorado’s warmest January on record is 1986 with a 31.7°F statewide average, edging 2003 at 31.6°F in second place.
• Texas ranks January 1907 as its hottest at 53.3°F on a statewide average, with 2023 appearing at No. 6 with 51.6°F.
• The compilations place the rankings in broader context, citing NOAA’s finding that July 2022 was the continental U.S.’s third hottest and noting an estimated 0.14°F per decade global temperature rise since 1880.