Boroughs in Alaska with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Written by:
January 3, 2023
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Boroughs in Alaska 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.
Map of the past year's temperatures compared to the 100-year average
While not every borough 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 boroughs in Alaska 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 borough is also included.
#30. Wrangell City and Borough
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 39.7 degrees Fahrenheit (0.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #74 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.2 F (0.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 45.1 F (0.2 F above century average)
- #74 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.2 F (0.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 45.1 F (0.2 F above century average)
#29. Ketchikan Gateway Borough
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 40.1 degrees Fahrenheit (0.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #73 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.6 F (0.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 45.6 F (0.1 F above century average)
- #73 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.6 F (0.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 45.6 F (0.1 F above century average)
#28. Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 42.9 degrees Fahrenheit (0.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #70 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 47.7 F (0.1 F above century average)
- #70 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 47.7 F (0.1 F above century average)
#27. Petersburg Borough
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 36.4 degrees Fahrenheit (0.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #70 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 31.1 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 41.8 F (0.6 F above century average)
- #70 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 31.1 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 41.8 F (0.6 F above century average)
#26. Juneau City and Borough
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 34 degrees Fahrenheit (0.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #70 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 28.3 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 39.7 F (0.5 F above century average)
- #70 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 28.3 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 39.7 F (0.5 F above century average)
#25. Hoonah-Angoon Census Area
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 37.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #59 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 31.8 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 42.8 F (0.8 F above century average)
- #59 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 31.8 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 42.8 F (0.8 F above century average)
#24. Haines Borough
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 34.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #58 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 28.1 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 40.4 F (0.8 F above century average)
- #58 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 28.1 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 40.4 F (0.8 F above century average)
#23. Skagway Municipality
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 31.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #53 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 25.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 37 F (0.7 F above century average)
- #53 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 25.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 37 F (0.7 F above century average)
#22. Sitka City and Borough
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 40.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #51 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.6 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 46.2 F (0.8 F above century average)
- #51 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.6 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 46.2 F (0.8 F above century average)
#21. Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 25.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #53 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 16.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 34.8 F (2 F above century average)
- #53 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 16.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 34.8 F (2 F above century average)
#20. Yakutat City and Borough
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 33.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #48 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 27.8 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 40.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #48 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 27.8 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 40.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
#19. Fairbanks North Star Borough
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 28.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #57 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 19.1 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 37.6 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #57 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 19.1 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 37.6 F (1.8 F above century average)
#18. Chugach Census Area
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 33.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #47 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 27.2 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 40.5 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #47 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 27.2 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 40.5 F (1.9 F above century average)
#17. Aleutians West Census Area
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 40.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #37 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 44.7 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #37 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 44.7 F (2.4 F above century average)
#16. Northwest Arctic Borough
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 23 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #51 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 15.9 F (3.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 30.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #51 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 15.9 F (3.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 30.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
#15. Denali Borough
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 27.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #46 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 19.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 36.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #46 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 19.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 36.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
#14. North Slope Borough
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 15.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #51 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 9.2 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 22.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #51 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 9.2 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 22.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
#13. Anchorage Municipality
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 34.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #46 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 27.4 F (3.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 40.8 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #46 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 27.4 F (3.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 40.8 F (2.1 F above century average)
#12. Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 26.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #48 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 18 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 35 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #48 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 18 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 35 F (2.4 F above century average)
#11. Aleutians East Borough
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 39.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #40 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.3 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 44.4 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #40 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.3 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 44.4 F (2.8 F above century average)
#10. Copper River Census Area
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 26.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #40 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 18.1 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 35.4 F (3.1 F above century average)
- #40 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 18.1 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 35.4 F (3.1 F above century average)
#9. Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 30.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #39 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 23.6 F (3.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 38.1 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #39 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 23.6 F (3.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 38.1 F (1.9 F above century average)
#8. Nome Census Area
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 26.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #45 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 20.4 F (3.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 32.6 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #45 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 20.4 F (3.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 32.6 F (2.4 F above century average)
#7. Kenai Peninsula Borough
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 35.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #40 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 28.5 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 42 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #40 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 28.5 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 42 F (2.8 F above century average)
#6. Lake and Peninsula Borough
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 37.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #42 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 29.8 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 44.3 F (3.1 F above century average)
- #42 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 29.8 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 44.3 F (3.1 F above century average)
#5. Bristol Bay Borough
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 37.6 degrees Fahrenheit (3.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #41 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 30 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 45.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
- #41 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 30 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 45.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
#4. Kodiak Island Borough
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 40 degrees Fahrenheit (3.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #37 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.5 F (3.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 46.4 F (3.3 F above century average)
- #37 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.5 F (3.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 46.4 F (3.3 F above century average)
#3. Kusilvak Census Area
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 31.7 degrees Fahrenheit (3.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #42 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 25.2 F (3.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 38.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
- #42 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 25.2 F (3.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 38.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
#2. Dillingham Census Area
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 35.9 degrees Fahrenheit (4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #39 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 28.7 F (4.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 43 F (3.5 F above century average)
- #39 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 28.7 F (4.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 43 F (3.5 F above century average)
#1. Bethel Census Area
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 33.2 degrees Fahrenheit (4.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #39 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 26.1 F (4.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 40.3 F (3.9 F above century average)
- #39 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 26.1 F (4.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 40.3 F (3.9 F above century average)
