Most Extreme-Heat Cities in the US
75 major US metros, ranked by all-time record high — from the 1991–2020 climate normals. Every city links to its full climate profile.
The most extreme major city in the US is Phoenix, AZ, at 122°F all-time record high. Las Vegas, NV ranks second at 120°F. Below, all 75 metros are ranked — tap any city to open its month-by-month climate, rainfall, and temperature records.
Most Extreme-Heat US cities — top 30
How the most extreme cities compare
Across the 75 largest US metros with full climate records, all-time record high ranges from 122°F in Phoenix, AZ down to 98°F in Miami, FL — the bottom of this leaderboard. The bars above are scaled to that spread, so the gap between the leader and the pack is visible at a glance.
These are all-time record highs — the single hottest day in each city’s full historical archive — not typical summer temperatures. A city can post a blistering record yet have mild average highs, which is why this list differs from the hottest-by-average ranking. The ranking covers the largest U.S. metros only.
Frequently asked
- What is the most extreme city in the US?
- Among the 75 major US metros in this ranking, Phoenix, AZ is the most extreme, with 122°F all-time record high based on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Las Vegas, NV is second at 120°F. Each city in the list links to its full climate profile.
- How is the most extreme city ranked?
- Cities are ranked by all-time record high (in degrees Fahrenheit), highest first. The figures come from the 1991–2020 climate normals and the full 1950-to-present record for all-time extremes, computed from ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo. It covers 75 of the largest US cities, not every town in the country.
- How does Phoenix compare to the rest of the list?
- Phoenix, AZ tops the list at 122°F all-time record high, while Miami, FL sits at the other end with 98°F. The gap between them shows how wide the spread is across major US cities. Click any city to see its month-by-month climate, rainfall, and temperature records.
- Where is the hottest temperature ever recorded among these cities?
- Of the major metros ranked here, Phoenix, AZ has the highest all-time record high, at 122°F — the single hottest day in its full historical archive. Unlike average-high rankings, this captures the most extreme heat event on record rather than a typical summer day.
More US climate rankings
- Hottest cities in the US
- Coldest cities in the US
- Rainiest cities in the US
- Driest cities in the US
- Snowiest cities in the US
- Fastest-Warming cities in the US
Or browse every city’s full profile in the city climate hub — weather by month, rainfall, all-time records, and the warming trend for 75 major US metros.