Discover The 5 Warmest States In August

The United States has many different climates depending on where you go. Although summer is coming to an end in August, you’ll find that many states still have high temperatures. If you’re planning to visit one of the warmest states in August, make sure to prepare. Drink lots of water and protect yourself from sunburn if you’re heading outside!

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) records average yearly and monthly temperatures, average precipitation, and other weather-related information in the U.S. NOAA regularly publishes this data so that others may learn more. They also publish climate outlooks for each month. The one for August 2023 predicts hotter than normal temperatures and worse than usual drought in the Southern states. In the northern Midwest and northeast, lower-than-normal temperatures and an increase in wet weather are expected.

For the purpose of this article, we will be using the average temperatures published by NOAA for August from 1991-2020. That’s nearly 30 years of results to provide the most correct averages we can. Each state on the list has an average August temperature of 90 °F or higher. The averages cover the entire state, not just their hottest areas, as well.

Let’s check out the warmest states in August and learn a bit about each of them!

1. Texas – The Warmest State in August

Everything’s bigger in Texas, they say. Well, it’s also hotter! With an average temperature of 94.6 °F, Texas claims number one on our list of warmest states in August. The absolute hottest place in Texas is Laredo. The hottest-ever recorded temperature was 120 °F in Monahans on June 28, 1994.

Despite the heat, Texas remains one of the most popular states to visit. With 30 million people residents, it is also one of the most heavily populated states. People come here to experience the cowboy culture – cowboy hats and boots, cattle roping, and rodeos. The state is also famous for Tex-Mex food. Speaking of food, Texans also love their barbeque! Hosted in Austin every year since 2014, the iheartCountry Festival brings people from all over the nation to the state.

Some unique animals found in Texas include longhorn cattle, ocelots, and even pet tigers.

2. Arizona

Next on our list of warmest states in August comes Arizona. Widely known for its extreme heat, Arizona’s average August temperature is 93.2 °F. The hottest temperature recorded in the state happened on June 29, 1994. On that day, Lake Havasu City thermometers reached an insane 128 °F. The absolute hottest place in Arizona is Phoenix, where summer temperatures rarely dip below 100 °F.

The numbers on the thermometer don’t seem to deter people from moving to Arizona. Phoenix is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, with a population of 1.64 million in 2023. The state as a whole is home to over 7.4 million people. Not only that, but many people spend winters in the state to avoid the cold where they normally live. Called snowbirds, these people traveling to the city cause increases in traffic crashes and delays.

The most common reason for visiting Arizona, of course, is to see the magnificent Grand Canyon. Many businesses make incredible profits selling tours on donkeys, Jeeps, and even helicopters. Another great site to visit in Arizona is the Petrified Forrest National Park.

Arizona is home to some pretty cool animals, like the ringtail cat and the Arizona tree frog. The animals of this state must be able to adapt. They face both extreme heat in the day and freezing night temperatures in the desert.

3. Oklahoma – The Middle Ground, Warmest State in August

Oklahoma claims the number three spot on our list of the warmest states in August. The average temperature in the state during the month is 92.9 °F. The record for the highest temperature ever recorded in the state is 120 °F. Thermometers across the state have hit this number many times over the years. The absolute hottest place in Oklahoma is not a specific place. The Western half of the state averages 30-40 days a year over 100 °F.

Oklahoma’s population of only 4.05 million people seems small when looking at the others on our list. You might think the heat is driving people away. However, the lack of urban areas is commonly blamed for the low population. Despite its lack of people, Oklahoma is still famous for many things. Perhaps the most well-known is the Native American tribes that own land in the state. Some of these tribes include Cherokees, Choctaws, and Chickasaws. Learning about the heritage of these people is a huge benefit to visiting. Other than that, Oklahoma brags about its food. Namely, country-fried steak and fried okra. Many people travel to the state to take a drive or motorcycle ride along Route 66, as well.

Oklahoma’s special animals include the American Bison and the Mexican free-tailed bat.

4. Louisiana

Louisiana sits at number four on our warmest states in August list. The average temperature in this state during the month is 92.2 °F. The highest-ever temperature recorded in Louisiana happened on August 10, 1936, in Plain Dealing and reached 114 °F. The absolute hottest place in Louisiana award goes to Monroe, where the average summer temperature heats up to 94 °F.

Home to the bulk of the Creole and Cajun populations of the U.S., Louisiana is famous for its culture. Spicy seafood, boudin balls, and fried alligator are all prized foods in the state. Swamp boat tours and visiting the French Quarter are also popular tourist activities, along with the famous Mardi Gras parades. In fact, Mardi Gras draws at least a million people into the streets of the city. During the celebration each year, parade goers collect beads. The heat and humidity and risk of hurricanes don’t stop people from loving this state. About 4.5 million people call Louisiana home.

The unique creatures found in Louisiana include the tarantula hawk wasp and the rare leucistic American alligator. These alligators are not albino but have a different gene that causes their lack of pigment.

5. Florida – The Slightly Less Hot, Warmest State in August

Right at the end of our list comes Florida. With an average August temperature of 91.3 °F, this state is still very hot in the summer. Like Louisiana, Florida is very humid due to being right on the water. Humidity often raises the heat index (or how hot the weather feels) by 4-10 °F. That means it might only be 96 °F outside, but because it’s humid out, it feels like 116 °F. The record temperature in Florida belongs to Monticello. On June 29, 1931, the temperature there hit 109 °F.

Florida is the third most popular state in the nation, with nearly 22.3 million people living there. With its stunning white sand beaches and beautiful blue water, it is also an extremely popular vacation place. People arrive by the hundreds during Spring Break to party on the sands of Panama City Beach. Others prefer to take a boat ride through the Everglades National Park. Florida also holds the titles of the birthplace of NASCAR and the Theme Park Capitol of the World.

Florida has many unique animals that can rarely be seen elsewhere. Manatees call the waters off the coast of Florida their home for most of the year. If you choose to swim anywhere in this beautiful state, be on the lookout for sharks and alligators.

Honorable Mentions

While these states did not make our list of the warmest states in August, they deserve to be mentioned. The average temperatures in August don’t differ very much between these states. In order of hottest to coolest average temperature in August: Mississippi (91.2 °F), Arkansas (90.6 °F), California (90.4 °F), and Alabama (90.2 °F). Coming in just short of the 90 °F mark is Georgia at 89.9 °F. Though they’re not as warm as the top five, these temperatures are still pretty hot!

Summary of the Warmest States in August

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