If you’re currently shivering in a drafty office or scraping ice off a windshield in the Midwest, the idea of a "warmest temperature" probably feels like a cruel myth. But honestly, while half the country is bracing for a nasty cold front sweeping through the Plains today, January 17, 2026, there are a few lucky spots where you can still kick off your boots and maybe—just maybe—forego a heavy coat.
The current "winner" for the warmest temperature in USA today is largely a battle between the tropical humidity of South Florida and the high-pressure heat dome lingering over parts of the Desert Southwest. Specifically, if you want the absolute peak, you’re looking at McAllen, Texas, and Key West, Florida, both hovering near the 80°F mark this afternoon.
The Great Temperature Divide of January 17
Today’s weather map looks like a giant blue and red tug-of-war. Up north, we’ve got a strong cold front pushing through the central Plains and Midwest. The National Weather Service (NWS) is actually tracking snow squalls and sub-zero wind chills for folks in the Dakotas and Minnesota.
Meanwhile, the southern tier of the country is basically living in a different season.
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- Florida’s Gold Coast: Miami and the Florida Keys are consistently hitting 78°F to 81°F.
- Deep South Texas: Places like Brownsville and McAllen are enjoying a "heat spike" before the front reaches them, with highs expected to touch 82°F.
- The Desert Southwest: Phoenix, Arizona, is seeing a very comfortable 74°F, while parts of the lower Colorado River Valley near Yuma might squeeze out a 77°F.
It’s a weird contrast. While someone in International Falls is dealing with temperatures that could freeze an egg on the sidewalk, a person in Key West is probably worrying about whether they applied enough sunscreen for a boat ride.
Why it's So Warm in the South Right Now
You might be wondering why 82°F is even possible in mid-January. It basically comes down to a persistent ridge of high pressure that has been parked over the Gulf of Mexico. This ridge acts like a wall, blocking the frigid Arctic air from dipping too far south.
According to recent data from the Weather Prediction Center (WPC), this winter has been particularly stubborn. We saw record-breaking warmth through December 2025, and while January 2026 has brought some "real" winter to the Northeast, the southern border states are still clinging to that late-spring vibe.
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In fact, climage experts like those at Berkeley Earth have noted that 2026 is shaping up to be among the warmest years on record globally. We’re seeing these "warm tongues" of air lick up from the tropics more frequently than we did even a decade ago. It’s not just a "nice day"; it’s part of a larger trend where the floor for winter temperatures is rising.
Surprising Hot Spots (and Cold Realities)
If you think Death Valley is the hottest place today, you’d actually be wrong. While it holds the all-time US record of $134^{\circ}F$ (set back in July 1913), in January, the valley floor is surprisingly mild, usually sitting in the high 60s. Today, it's roughly 68°F.
The real heat is found where the moisture is.
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- Honolulu, Hawaii: Usually a safe bet, it’s a steady 80°F today with that classic Pacific breeze.
- San Juan, Puerto Rico: Technically a US territory, and it’s beating almost everyone on the mainland with a high of 84°F.
On the flip side, the "feels like" temperatures in the North are brutal. In New Orleans, the city is actually expanding shelter capacity because even though it's "warm" by northern standards, the mercury is expected to drop toward freezing overnight. It’s a reminder that even in the "warmest" states, winter is never far away.
How to Handle the Temperature Swings
If you are lucky enough to be in the zone of the warmest temperature in USA today, don't get too complacent. These January warm spells often end with a "Blue Norther"—a cold front that can drop temperatures by 30 degrees in a single hour.
- Check the Dew Point: In South Texas today, the humidity is high. Even at 80°F, it feels "soupy." Hydrate like it's summer.
- UV Awareness: Even if it’s 75°F in Phoenix, the winter sun in the desert is deceptive. The UV index is still high enough to cause a burn if you're out hiking for three hours.
- Monitor the Front: If you’re in Houston or San Antonio, keep an eye on the radar. That 80-degree afternoon is likely the "pre-frontal" warming, meaning a sharp, cold wind is coming for your evening plans.
The best way to stay ahead of these wild January swings is to use high-resolution satellite imagery and local NWS office updates. National averages are great, but the "micro-climates" in places like the Rio Grande Valley or the Florida Everglades are where the real records are broken.
If you're planning a last-minute getaway to escape the snow, stick to the southern tip of Florida or the southernmost tip of Texas. Those are the only places where the 80-degree mark is a "sure thing" for the rest of the day.