Last year was by far the hottest year on record in the United
States. Here's 2012's heat by the numbers: — Average annual
temperature: 55.32 degrees F, a record. The old record was 54.32
degrees, set in 1998. — Weather stations across the Lower 48
states setting all-time high temperatures: 356. — Weather
stations setting all-time low temperatures: Four. — Number of
states that had their warmest year: 19. — Months in 2012 that
set U.S. heat records: March and July. — Number of people who
experienced at least 10 days of 100-degree heat: 99.1 million. —
Number of consecutive months that the United States had warmer
than average temperatures: 16. — New all-time warmest
temperature in South Carolina: 113 degrees. Source: National
Climatic Data Center.