Does Your Hometown Crack the Top 10 for Hottest Cities in the U.S.?

Death Valley, California, is undoubtedly distinguished as the hottest place in the U.S., which helps to explain why it is not a major tourist destination during the summer months. However, what about some of the U.S. locales that do attract visitors during the busy travel season? Here is a look at some of the hottest cities in the U.S. with populations over 250,000.

Desert Southwest Heat

Phoenix sizzles during the summer months, with highs routinely hitting the triple digits from the end of May through the middle of September. The home to over 1.6 million people can also spend several days in the 110s each summer. With overnight lows that often fail to fall below the 90-degree mark, it is easy to see why the Valley of the Sun never cools down.

To the south, the college town of Tucson, Arizona, is also one of the nation's hot spots. Located at the edge of the Sonoran Desert, Tucson is nearly as hot as Phoenix. The onset of the North American monsoon season in July can provide a bit of a break from the heat during the afternoon hours in this part of the Grand Canyon State. However, the dust storms associated with the monsoon storms present their own set of concerns.

Las Vegas is a popular tourist destination at any time of the year, even during the summer when the mercury regularly hits 100 degrees or greater. The all-time heat record for Sin City is 120 degrees, notched just two years ago. While there is plenty of air conditioning to cool off while visiting the famed Strip, tourists traveling to nearby Hoover Dam or Red Rock Canyon will want to prepare for extreme heat and take the appropriate precautions.

California's Valley Locations

The large cities that dot the coastline of California remain relatively mild even during the summer months, thanks to the cooling effect of the Pacific Ocean. The same cannot be said for areas located farther inland. For example, located about 50 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, the city of Riverside has seen readings reach the triple digits during every month of the year from March through November.

The populated Central Valley of California is the hottest part of the state outside of the desert locations. Temperatures routinely soar into the triple digits in cities such as Fresno. For instance, the largest metro area of the valley recorded 30 straight days of 100-degree or higher readings in 2018, signaling that heat of this magnitude is not an anomaly.

Sizzling Sunshine State

On the other side of the country, the state of Florida is also known for its oppressive heat and humidity during the summer season. The proximity of Miami to the tropics makes the humidity feel unbearable for those who are not accustomed to it. While the heart of South Florida does not see the triple-digit readings that are common in the Southwest, the strong sun and oppressive humidity make it feel even toastier than Phoenix at times.

Miami is also one of the nation's warmest cities during the winter months. Afternoon highs typically hover in the mid 70s to the low 80s while the majority of the U.S. is freezing.

Millions of tourists flock to Orlando every year to visit its many theme parks. Unlike its counterpart to the south, the mercury in Orlando is more likely to eclipse the century mark during the peak of the summer. The all-time record high for the Magic City is 103 degrees, quite miserable when you are visiting the outdoor tourist attractions. Orlando's overnight readings typically bottom out in the 60s and 70s, keeping it warm even after the sun goes down on all of the fun.

Everything is Bigger - and Hotter - in Texas

The heat comes on quickly in the Lone Star State. Houston, the state's most populated city, is best known for its humidity that can make moderately warm temperatures feel downright miserable. In addition to the heat, the abundance of moisture coming up from the Gulf also makes Houston one of the nation's wettest cities.

San Antonio is also a city that sees several days with temperatures well over the 90-degree mark. In fact, the Alamo City records this benchmark over 110 days out of the year on average. The average high temperature for the month of August is 97 degrees, making it one of the hottest averages among major cities in the U.S.

Lastly, Dallas is another Texas city distinguished for its hot summers. Daily highs average in the mid to upper 90s from the end of June into the early part of September. Because it is located farther inland, the metroplex does not see the benefits of cooling tropical moisture like its counterpart in Houston.

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