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.
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
- 158 Ukraine 9.77 °C compare
More reference data data for United States
- Spring temperature anomalies 2.51 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 0.5014 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.0594 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.8696 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.9189 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 143.86 2010 = 100 (2024)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
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
The temperature of the air measured 2 meters above the ground, encompassing land, sea, and in-land water surfaces.