ATLANTA – New research reveals that Georgia ranks in the top five states that contend with the most dangerously hot days each summer.
Release:
New research, conducted by Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyers at H&P Law, has revealed the states that will have to contend with the most dangerously hot days each summer, with Mississippi ranking in first place.
An “extreme heat” day is one defined as having a maximum temperature that exceeds the 95th percentile historical threshold.
Mississippi is in first place, with a median of 1.5 extreme heat days. The hottest ever day in Mississippi was July 29th, 1930, when a high of 115°F was recorded at Holly Springs.
In second place is Arkansas, which has a median of 2.4 extreme heat days each year. In Arkansas, the hottest ever day was August 10th, 1936, when Ozark reached a temperature of 120°F.
Third is Louisiana, with a median of 3.5 extreme heat days each year. The hottest day in Louisiana was the same date as in Arkansas—August 10th, 1936—but the temperatures here didn’t soar to quite the same extent as its northern neighbor, reaching a peak of 114°F in Plain Dealing.
Alabama is fourth. The state has a median of 4.6 extreme heat days per year, and its hottest recorded temperature was measured on September 6th, 1925, when the mercury in Centerville pushed up to 112°F.
Ranked in fifth place is Georgia, where there is a median of 5.6 extreme heat days each year. Georgia has two contenders for the state’s hottest day: July 24th, 1952 and August 20th, 1983. On both occasions, temperatures reached 112°F.
Tennessee is next, in sixth place. The state has a median of 5.8 extreme heat days per year, and its hottest ever temperature of 113°F was reached on two occasions, both in 1930: July 29th and August 9th. Both measurements were taken in Perryville.
Tied in seventh place are North and South Carolina. In both these states, there is a median of 7.2 extreme heat days each year.
North Carolina reached its maximum temperature in Fayetteville on August 21st, 1983, when thermometers hit 110°F. South Carolina exceeded that temperature on June 29th, 2012, when the University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus reached 113°F.
In ninth place is Oklahoma, which has a median of 7.6 extreme heat days each year and reached its highest temperature on four days, all in 1936. On July 18th, July 19th, August 10th, and August 12th that year, a sweltering 120°F was recorded, in Alva, Altus, Poteau, and Altus, respectively.
In tenth place is Delaware. The hottest day ever recorded in the state was July 21st, 1930, when Millsboro recorded a high of 110°F. In Delaware, there is a median of 8.6 days of extreme heat each year.
The state with the most extreme heat days was Utah, with a median of 23.2 days of extreme heat per year. Utah’s hottest days were July 10th, 2021 and July 5th 1985; on both dates, a temperature of 117°F was recorded at St. George.
| Rank | State | Extreme Heat Days (Median) |
| 1 | Mississippi | 1.5 |
| 2 | Arkansas | 2.4 |
| 3 | Louisiana | 3.5 |
| 4 | Alabama | 4.6 |
| 5 | Georgia | 5.6 |
| 6 | Tennessee | 5.8 |
| 7 | North Carolina | 7.2 |
| 7 | South Carolina | 7.2 |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 7.6 |
| 10 | Delaware | 8.6 |
Matthew Pfau, a partner at H&P Law, commented on the findings: “Heatstroke is no joke. As the temperature rises, it’s more important than ever to stay cool and safe. Our research identifies the states least likely to face scorching temperatures this summer. Knowing where the heat is likely to be less dangerous allows you to plan accordingly and keep yourself protected.
“Staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day, and opting for loose-fitting clothing are just some of the steps you can follow to enjoy the summer weather safely and avoid heat-related illnesses.”
