Not exactly "relative". The statement that 2019 was the second-hottest on record refers to global temperatures. The midwest being colder is completely worthless as a counterargument. It's like pointing out that I'm shorter than my father in response to the claim that my generation was taller than the previous generation. Sure, my statement is true, and it's superficially about the same thing. It's worthless as an actual rebuttal, though.