United States temperature extremes

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For the United States, the extremes are 134 °F (56.7 °C) in Death Valley, California and −80.0 °F (−62.2 °C) recorded in Prospect Creek, Alaska.

Among the U.S. states, Hawaii has both the lowest state maximum of 100 °F (37.7 °C) and the highest state minimum of 12.0 °F (-11.1 °C). Indeed, tropical locations such as Hawaii often have the lowest recorded temperature ranges, sometimes as low as 62 °F (16.7 °C). The most dramatic temperature changes, however, occur in North American climates susceptible to Chinook winds. For example, the largest 2-minute temperature change of +49 °F (+27.2 °C) occurred in Spearfish, South Dakota, a rise from −4 °F (−20 °C) to 45 °F (7.2 °C). The largest recorded temperature change over a 24-hour period occurred on January 15, 1972 in Loma, Montana, when the temperature rose from −54 °F (−47 °C) to 49 °F (9 °C).

Well-traveled North Americans and Europeans, often keep a record of the temperatures extremes they have experienced as an indicator of the extent of their travel. There is much variation in temperature due solely to climate, and excluding travel, the average American might expect to experience a lifetime temperature range of between 90 to 135 °F (50 and 75 °C).^{[citation needed]} Europeans, unless they travel to places with unusual climates, tend to experience smaller temperature ranges due to the more moderate temperatures observed on the continent (excluding during the freak summer of 2003).