Counties in Michigan with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years

Written by:
January 3, 2023
Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

Counties in Michigan 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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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 Michigan 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.

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kennethaw88 // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Clinton County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.1 F (1.6 F above century average)
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Cwbash (Charles W. Bash) // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Cheboygan County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #26 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.1 F (1.7 F above century average)
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Missaukee County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55 F (1.8 F above century average)
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Iulus Ascanius // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Clare County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.6 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Isabella County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.5 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.8 F (1.7 F above century average)
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Gpwitteveen // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Ottawa County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.3 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.6 F (1.5 F above century average)
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Russell Sekeet (amtrak_russ) // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Berrien County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.8 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.8 F (1.6 F above century average)
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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Otsego County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.8 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 53.7 F (1.7 F above century average)
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Crawford County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.1 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
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Henry Schenck Tanner // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Montmorency County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.1 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
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David Coats // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Presque Isle County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.8 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Wexford County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.9 F (1.8 F above century average)
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Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Hillsdale County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.8 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59 F (2.1 F above century average)
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Emmet County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.7 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 53 F (1.7 F above century average)
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User:My name // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Charlevoix County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.3 F (1.5 F above century average)
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User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Gladwin County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.5 F (1.4 F above century average)
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O. David Redwine // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Midland County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.9 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.3 F (1.6 F above century average)
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Bryan Robb // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Ingham County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.4 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (2 F above century average)
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daBinsi // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Shiawassee County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.4 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (2.1 F above century average)
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Phillip L. Hofmeister // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Jackson County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Cass County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.8 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.8 F (1.9 F above century average)
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USFWSmidwest // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Oscoda County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Kalkaska County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Roscommon County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Oceana County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.7 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.5 F (1.6 F above century average)
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kennethaw88 // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Saginaw County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Antrim County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.3 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.7 F (2 F above century average)
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Elevatorrailfan // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Ogemaw County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.6 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Bay County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57 F (1.6 F above century average)
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kennethaw88 // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Tuscola County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
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Dylan L. Tanner // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Alpena County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.1 F (2.5 F above century average)
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Alcona County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.7 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.9 F (2.3 F above century average)
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Ian Poellet (User:Werewombat) // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Arenac County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.5 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.2 F (1.6 F above century average)
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Nick Nolte // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Iosco County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
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Michigan Department of Natural Resources // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Sanilac County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.1 F (2.6 F above century average)
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Lapeer County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (2.5 F above century average)
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Joshuay04 // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Livingston County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.7 F (2.6 F above century average)
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NOAA Great Lakes Envorinmental Ressearch Laboritory // Flickr

#13. Muskegon County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.9 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
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Flintmichigan // Wikicommons

#12. Genesee County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.9 F (2.6 F above century average)
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Agnieszka Gaul // Shutterstock

#11. Washtenaw County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.1 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.5 F (2.8 F above century average)
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Dwight Burdette // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Lenawee County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.5 F (3 F above century average)
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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Oakland County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.4 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
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PhotosByMahin // Pixabay

#8. Wayne County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.5 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
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US Army Corps of Engineer // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Benzie County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.7 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.4 F (2.6 F above century average)
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stanthejeep // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Grand Traverse County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.7 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.5 F (2.7 F above century average)
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Ken Heuvelman // Wikimedia Commons

#5. St. Clair County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (2.6 F above century average)
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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Macomb County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.3 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.2 F (2.5 F above century average)
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Alexey Stiop // Shutterstock

#3. Leelanau County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.4 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54 F (2.6 F above century average)
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Charles Bash // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Huron County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.6 F (2.9 F above century average)
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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Monroe County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.3 F (3.2 F above century average)

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