Counties in Texas with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
Counties in Texas with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Hitting 116 degrees F in normally temperate Portland, Oregon. 105 degrees in Reno in September, just as summer is meant to be waning. And in California’s Death Valley National Park, temperatures hit almost 130 degrees in the aptly named Furnace Creek, marking a world record for the hottest September day in history.
2021 and 2022 saw some of the hottest temperatures ever recorded, as across the country extreme heat waves wreaked havoc on communities accustomed to more moderate weather. For many regions, the consequences were grave: in the 2021 Western heatwave, hundreds lost their lives, largely due to a lack of air conditioning, and wildfires ravaged the area.
Stacker
Map of the past year’s temperatures compared to the 100-year average
While not every county in the nation has experienced such extreme heat, climate change has dramatically changed the heat landscape in nearly every state. Coastal regions and the Southern U.S. are particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures, and are also frequently targets of extreme weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes.
Just as all states are not impacted equally by rising temperatures, regions within states have also seen widely different temperature changes over the last decades. Factors such as proximity to urban areas, bodies of water, and mountains can dramatically change the climate of a region. Stacker cited data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Center for Environmental Information to identify the counties in Texas with the greatest departure from average temperatures during the period December 2021 to November 2022 compared to the 1901-2000 average. Average temperature over the past year served as a tiebreaker. Additional data on recent average high and low temperatures for each county is also included.
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#50. Llano County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 69 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 55.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 82.2 F (3.9 F above century average)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#49. Bastrop County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 70.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #3 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 58.3 F (2.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 82.5 F (3.7 F above century average)
Renelibrary // Wikimedia Commons
#48. Washington County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 70.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 59.2 F (3.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 81.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#47. Medina County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 71.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #4 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 57.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 84.8 F (3.8 F above century average)
Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
#46. Armstrong County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46.5 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 75.6 F (4.1 F above century average)
Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
#45. Ector County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 51.7 F (2.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 80.6 F (3.2 F above century average)
Canva
#44. Baylor County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52.6 F (1.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 80.5 F (4.4 F above century average)
Michael Barera // Wikimedia Commons
#43. Hunt County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.6 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #3 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 54.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 78.3 F (4 F above century average)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#42. Callahan County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.8 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #3 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 53.2 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 80.3 F (5 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#41. Coke County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #3 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 53.2 F (2.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 80.8 F (3.9 F above century average)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#40. Palo Pinto County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 53.6 F (1.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 81.1 F (4.8 F above century average)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#39. Ward County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 51.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 83.3 F (3.7 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#38. Crane County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.8 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 53.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 82.5 F (3.4 F above century average)
Renelibrary // Wikimedia Commons
#37. Somervell County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 55.8 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 80.9 F (4.1 F above century average)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#36. Austin County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 71.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 60.2 F (3.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 82 F (2.7 F above century average)
Nsaum75 // Wikimedia Commons
#35. Galveston County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 72 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 63.7 F (2.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 80.3 F (3.6 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#34. Kent County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 51.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 80.4 F (3.9 F above century average)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#33. Fannin County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #3 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 54.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 77.9 F (3.8 F above century average)
Nicolas Henderson // Wikimedia Commons
#32. Knox County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #3 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 80.7 F (4.4 F above century average)
SG Arts // Shutterstock
#31. Midland County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52.4 F (3.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 80.7 F (3.3 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#30. Schleicher County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.9 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 53 F (2.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 80.7 F (3.8 F above century average)
Canva
#29. Pecos County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #4 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52.4 F (2.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 81.6 F (3.5 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#28. Irion County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 53 F (2.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 81.2 F (3.7 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#27. Sutton County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 53.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 80.8 F (3.8 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#26. Mills County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.9 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 54.7 F (1.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 81.2 F (4.7 F above century average)
Reading Associate 17 // Wikimedia Commons
#25. Caldwell County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 71 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #3 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 58.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 83.5 F (4.2 F above century average)
Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
#24. Scurry County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #3 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52.5 F (2.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 79.7 F (4.1 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#23. King County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 51.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 80.5 F (4.1 F above century average)
Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
#22. Sterling County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.8 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 53 F (2.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 80.5 F (3.8 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#21. Reagan County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.9 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #3 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52.7 F (2.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 81.1 F (3.9 F above century average)
Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Eastland County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 53.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 80.5 F (4.7 F above century average)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#19. Collin County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 55.7 F (2.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 78.6 F (4.1 F above century average)
Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
#18. Kimble County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 53.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 81 F (3.9 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#17. Concho County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.6 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 53.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 81.2 F (4.1 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#16. San Saba County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 55.3 F (2.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 81.5 F (4.2 F above century average)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#15. Colorado County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 71.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 60.7 F (3.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 82.3 F (2.9 F above century average)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Fisher County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.6 degrees Fahrenheit (3.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #3 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 80.5 F (4.7 F above century average)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#13. Fayette County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 71.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #3 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 60 F (3.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 82.7 F (3.5 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#12. Glasscock County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.7 degrees Fahrenheit (3.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52.7 F (2.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 80.6 F (4.1 F above century average)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#11. Menard County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 53.9 F (3.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 80.4 F (3.9 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#10. Hamilton County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 55.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 81.1 F (5.1 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Mason County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 55 F (2.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 81.9 F (4.2 F above century average)
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#8. Lavaca County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 72 degrees Fahrenheit (3.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #4 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 60.5 F (3.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 83.5 F (3.8 F above century average)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#7. Nolan County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #3 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52.9 F (2.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 79.9 F (4.9 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#6. Mitchell County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 53.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 81 F (4.2 F above century average)
Renelibrary // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Coleman County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.7 degrees Fahrenheit (3.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 53.8 F (1.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 81.6 F (5.5 F above century average)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#4. McCulloch County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 55.3 F (3.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 80.9 F (3.8 F above century average)
Renelibrary // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Brown County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 55 F (2.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 81.6 F (5 F above century average)
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#2. Comanche County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 55.1 F (2.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 81.4 F (5.3 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Erath County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.3 degrees Fahrenheit (4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #2 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 55.5 F (2.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 81 F (5.2 F above century average)
