Decadal average surface temperature in United States
United States: Decadal average surface temperature was 9.96 °C in 2010. ▲ Rising
Decadal average surface temperature in United States, 1940–2010
Source: Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in °C.
Analysis
In 2010, decadal average surface temperature in United States stood at 9.96 °C. That is the highest value across all 8 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, decadal average surface temperature in United States peaked at 9.96 °C in 2010 and was at its lowest, 8.21 °C, in 1940.
That places United States 156th out of 193 countries with data for 2010, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Decadal average surface temperature in United States, year by year
| Year | °C | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1940 | 8.21 °C | — |
| 1950 | 8.77 °C | +6.8% |
| 1960 | 8.53 °C | -2.6% |
| 1970 | 8.57 °C | +0.4% |
| 1980 | 8.98 °C | +4.8% |
| 1990 | 9.19 °C | +2.2% |
| 2000 | 9.55 °C | +3.9% |
| 2010 | 9.96 °C | +4.4% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 9.96 °C is below the median for high income countries, which is 12.2 °C, 82% of the median. (65 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 8.21 °C | 8.21 °C | 8.21 °C | 1 |
| 1950s | 8.77 °C | 8.77 °C | 8.77 °C | 1 |
| 1960s | 8.53 °C | 8.53 °C | 8.53 °C | 1 |
| 1970s | 8.57 °C | 8.57 °C | 8.57 °C | 1 |
| 1980s | 8.98 °C | 8.98 °C | 8.98 °C | 1 |
| 1990s | 9.19 °C | 9.19 °C | 9.19 °C | 1 |
| 2000s | 9.55 °C | 9.55 °C | 9.55 °C | 1 |
| 2010s | 9.96 °C | 9.96 °C | 9.96 °C | 1 |
Countries ranked near United States
- 153 Belgium 10.44 °C compare
- 154 Montenegro 10.31 °C compare
- 155 Isle of Man 10.28 °C compare
- 157 Ireland 9.79 °C compare
- 158 Ukraine 9.77 °C compare
- 159 Luxembourg 9.76 °C compare
More reference data data for United States
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 19.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 24.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 20.7 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 64.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 52.14 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 133.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 589.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 112.69 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is decadal average surface temperature in United States?
- Decadal average surface temperature in United States was 9.96 °C in 2010, according to Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest decadal average surface temperature recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 9.96 °C in 2010.
- What is the lowest decadal average surface temperature recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.21 °C in 1940.
- How does United States rank for decadal average surface temperature?
- United States ranks 156th out of 193 countries with data for 2010.
- Is decadal average surface temperature rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Decadal average surface temperature. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 8 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Temperature of the air measured 2 meters above the ground, encompassing land, sea, and in-land water surfaces.