The last 30 years were the hottest on record for the United States
The average U.S. temperature for 1991–2020 was 53.3° F, up from 52.8° F during 1981–2010
![person walking by an electronic sign in Phoenix that reads 122 degrees and 6:27pm](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/052121_CG_climate_feat.jpg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
The U.S. Southwest sweltered under months of blistering temperatures in 2020, including a record-breaking June heat wave (shown) in Phoenix.
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