Counties in Alabama with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Written by:
January 3, 2023
tradville // Shutterstock
Counties in Alabama 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.
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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 Alabama 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.
#50. Jackson County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.8 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.8 F (1.1 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.8 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.8 F (1.1 F above century average)
#49. Walker County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.9 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.2 F (1.5 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.9 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.2 F (1.5 F above century average)
#48. Conecuh County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.7 F (1.3 F above century average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.7 F (1.3 F above century average)
#47. Henry County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.8 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.5 F (1.5 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.8 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.5 F (1.5 F above century average)
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#46. Geneva County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.5 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.4 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.5 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.4 F (1.7 F above century average)
#45. Lauderdale County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.8 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.2 F (1.2 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.8 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.2 F (1.2 F above century average)
#44. Madison County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.1 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.8 F (1.1 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.1 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.8 F (1.1 F above century average)
#43. Winston County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.8 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.5 F (1.2 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.8 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.5 F (1.2 F above century average)
#42. Cherokee County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.4 F (0.8 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.4 F (0.8 F above century average)
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#41. Chambers County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.4 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.7 F (1.5 F above century average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.4 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.7 F (1.5 F above century average)
#40. Fayette County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.3 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.7 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.3 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.7 F (1.8 F above century average)
#39. Shelby County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.9 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.2 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.9 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.2 F (1.9 F above century average)
#38. Coosa County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.3 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.2 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.3 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.2 F (1.6 F above century average)
#37. Elmore County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.1 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.4 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.1 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.4 F (1.6 F above century average)
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#36. Bullock County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.7 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.7 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
#35. Crenshaw County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.4 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.4 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.4 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.4 F (1.9 F above century average)
#34. Pike County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.2 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.2 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.2 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.2 F (1.7 F above century average)
#33. Wilcox County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.3 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.3 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
#32. Covington County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.7 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.7 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
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#31. Dale County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.5 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.8 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.5 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.8 F (1.9 F above century average)
#30. Clay County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.6 F (1.5 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.6 F (1.5 F above century average)
#29. Talladega County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.8 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.9 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.8 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.9 F (1.6 F above century average)
#28. Jefferson County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.3 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.6 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.3 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.6 F (1.8 F above century average)
#27. Chilton County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.9 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.8 F (2 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.9 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.8 F (2 F above century average)
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#26. Dallas County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.9 F (1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.9 F (1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
#25. Coffee County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.9 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.1 F (2 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.9 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.1 F (2 F above century average)
#24. Escambia County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 56 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.3 F (1.2 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 56 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.3 F (1.2 F above century average)
#23. Pickens County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.8 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.8 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
#22. Lowndes County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
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#21. Clarke County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.3 F (1.4 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.3 F (1.4 F above century average)
#20. Washington County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.2 F (1.4 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.2 F (1.4 F above century average)
#19. Morgan County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.9 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.2 F (0.9 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.9 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.2 F (0.9 F above century average)
#18. Marion County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.4 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.4 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
#17. St. Clair County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.2 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.8 F (1.4 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.2 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.8 F (1.4 F above century average)
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#16. Autauga County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.4 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.4 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
#15. Montgomery County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
#14. Monroe County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.5 F (1.5 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.5 F (1.5 F above century average)
#13. Cleburne County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.4 F (1.3 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.4 F (1.3 F above century average)
#12. Colbert County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.9 F (1.5 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.9 F (1.5 F above century average)
#11. Marshall County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.9 F (1.4 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.9 F (1.4 F above century average)
#10. Randolph County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.1 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.7 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.1 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.7 F (1.7 F above century average)
#9. Etowah County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74 F (1.5 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74 F (1.5 F above century average)
#8. Calhoun County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.1 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.6 F (1.5 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.1 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.6 F (1.5 F above century average)
#7. Lamar County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76 F (2 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76 F (2 F above century average)
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#6. Choctaw County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.5 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.5 F (1.9 F above century average)
#5. Franklin County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.8 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.8 F (1.8 F above century average)
#4. Mobile County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 57.4 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.7 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 57.4 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.7 F (2.6 F above century average)
#3. Baldwin County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 58 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 58 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
#2. Cullman County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.9 F (3.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.2 F (0.7 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.9 F (3.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.2 F (0.7 F above century average)
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#1. Blount County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.3 F (3.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.6 F (0.9 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.3 F (3.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.6 F (0.9 F above century average)
