Counties in California with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Canva
Counties in California 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 California 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.
Bobak Ha’Eri // Wikimedia Commons
#50. Tuolumne County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #10 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 39.2 F (2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 64.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
Aaronbrick // Wikicommons
#49. Santa Cruz County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #14 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 69.7 F (2.6 F above century average)
Canva
#48. Del Norte County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #10 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 42.6 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 63.5 F (3.2 F above century average)
CFang // Wikimedia Commons
#47. Lake County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46.1 F (1.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 71 F (2.5 F above century average)
clr_flickr from Rocklin, USA // Wikimedia Commons
#46. Mono County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #11 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 31.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 59.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
Frank Schulenburg // Wikimedia Commons
#45. Nevada County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #9 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 41.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 66.4 F (2.6 F above century average)
Doug Olson // Wikimedia Commons
#44. Placer County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 43.1 F (2.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.6 F (2.4 F above century average)
Craig Howell // Wikimedia Commons
#43. San Mateo County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #10 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47.3 F (1.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.1 F (2.9 F above century average)
Susan Popielaski // Wikimedia Commons
#42. Alpine County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 34 F (2.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 57.4 F (2.5 F above century average)
Almonroth // Wikimedia Commons
#41. Trinity County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 40.5 F (0.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.3 F (3.9 F above century average)
Epolk // Wikimedia Commons
#40. Yolo County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 48.8 F (1.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 77.7 F (3.5 F above century average)
DimiTalen // Wikimedia Commons
#39. El Dorado County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 44 F (2.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.7 F (2.4 F above century average)
EPoelzl // Wikimedia Commons
#38. Mariposa County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 43.6 F (2.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.5 F (2.7 F above century average)
Stan Shebs // Wikicommons
#37. Napa County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 74 F (3 F above century average)
Ray Bouknight // Wikicommons
#36. Sutter County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 49.6 F (0.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 79 F (4.2 F above century average)
Doug Kerr // Wikicommons
#35. Shasta County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 43.4 F (1.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.5 F (3.9 F above century average)
Uladzik Kryhin // Shutterstock
#34. Santa Clara County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #11 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 71.5 F (3 F above century average)
Calilover // Wikimedia Commons
#33. Monterey County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #9 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45 F (2.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 74.5 F (2.9 F above century average)
Canva
#32. Solano County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 49.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 75.5 F (3.4 F above century average)
CleanWater17 // Wikimedia Commons
#31. Colusa County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 48.8 F (1.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 77.1 F (3.3 F above century average)
Canva
#30. Sacramento County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 49.7 F (1.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 77.7 F (3.8 F above century average)
Canva
#29. Calaveras County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47.4 F (2.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 73.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
Jennifer Williams // Wikimedia Commons
#28. Alameda County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 49.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 71.6 F (3 F above century average)
Trance addict // Wikimedia Commons
#27. Glenn County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 48.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 75.6 F (3.8 F above century average)
Chuck Abbe // Wikimedia Commons
#26. Inyo County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 49.6 F (3.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 75.1 F (2.4 F above century average)
Chmee2 // Wikimedia Commons
#25. Siskiyou County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 38.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 63 F (3.7 F above century average)
Canva
#24. Tulare County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 43.6 F (3.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.4 F (2.5 F above century average)
Public Domain
#23. Madera County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 44.4 F (2.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 71.5 F (3 F above century average)
Bobak Ha’Eri // Wikimedia Commons
#22. Amador County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47.3 F (2.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 72.8 F (3 F above century average)
Frank Schulenburg // Wikimedia Commons
#21. Tehama County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47.9 F (1.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 73.4 F (3.9 F above century average)
MARELBU // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Contra Costa County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 50.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 73.1 F (3 F above century average)
Public Domain
#19. Stanislaus County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 50.2 F (2.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 76 F (3.2 F above century average)
Mark Miller // Wikimedia Commons
#18. Merced County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 50.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 77 F (3.4 F above century average)
Scott Burley // Wikimedia Commons
#17. Modoc County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 34.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 62.4 F (3.7 F above century average)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District // Wikimedia Commons
#16. Yuba County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 49.6 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 75.8 F (3.6 F above century average)
LPS.1 // Wikicommons
#15. San Joaquin County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 50.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 76.9 F (3.6 F above century average)
SD Dirk // Flickr
#14. San Diego County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 51 F (2.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 77.4 F (3.2 F above century average)
Canva
#13. San Bernardino County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 55.7 F (3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 80.4 F (2.9 F above century average)
nickchapman // Wikicommons
#12. Kern County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.6 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 50.5 F (3.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 76.7 F (3 F above century average)
Armona // Wikicommons
#11. Kings County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 51.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 79.2 F (3.2 F above century average)
Michael Patrick // Wikimedia Commons
#10. San Benito County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.6 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47.3 F (3.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 73.8 F (3.2 F above century average)
Canva
#9. Butte County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.9 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 48.6 F (2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 75.3 F (4.3 F above century average)
Rman 348 // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Imperial County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 75.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 61.8 F (3.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 89 F (2.7 F above century average)
David Jordan // Wikicommons
#7. Fresno County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.7 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 44.6 F (3.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.8 F (3.2 F above century average)
Basar // Wikicommons
#6. San Luis Obispo County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46.7 F (2.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 75.8 F (4.2 F above century average)
Daniel Orth // Flickr
#5. Riverside County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 70 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 57.3 F (3.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 82.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
Pixabay
#4. Santa Barbara County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47.9 F (3.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 72.6 F (4.2 F above century average)
Hollywood // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Orange County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.9 degrees Fahrenheit (3.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 55.5 F (3.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 76.4 F (3.5 F above century average)
BDS2006 // Wikimedia
#2. Los Angeles County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.7 degrees Fahrenheit (3.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 51.9 F (3.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 75.5 F (3.9 F above century average)
Canva
#1. Ventura County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.9 degrees Fahrenheit (3.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47.5 F (3.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 72.2 F (3.9 F above century average)
