Counties in New Mexico with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Written by:
January 3, 2023
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Counties in New Mexico 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 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 New Mexico 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.
#33. Hidalgo County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #29 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.1 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.2 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #29 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.1 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.2 F (1.7 F above century average)
#32. Cibola County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #29 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.9 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.2 F (1.4 F above century average)
- #29 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.9 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.2 F (1.4 F above century average)
#31. Union County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.4 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.3 F (2 F above century average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.4 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.3 F (2 F above century average)
#30. Colfax County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.9 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.4 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.9 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.4 F (1.9 F above century average)
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#29. Catron County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65 F (1.3 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65 F (1.3 F above century average)
#28. Sierra County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.5 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.8 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.5 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.8 F (1.9 F above century average)
#27. Luna County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 45.4 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 45.4 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
#26. Santa Fe County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.7 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.7 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
#25. Grant County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.3 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.3 F (2.2 F above century average)
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#24. McKinley County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.1 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.1 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
#23. Sandoval County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66 F (2.1 F above century average)
#22. Los Alamos County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.1 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.2 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.1 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.2 F (2.1 F above century average)
#21. Socorro County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.8 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.2 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.8 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.2 F (2.2 F above century average)
#20. Rio Arriba County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.2 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.1 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.2 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.1 F (1.9 F above century average)
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#19. Bernalillo County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.2 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.2 F (2.5 F above century average)
#18. Harding County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.5 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.5 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
#17. Otero County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.7 F (2 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.7 F (2 F above century average)
#16. Torrance County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.4 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.4 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
#15. San Miguel County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.3 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.3 F (2.9 F above century average)
#14. Valencia County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.6 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.6 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
#13. Lincoln County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.4 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.4 F (2.1 F above century average)
#12. Dona Ana County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
#11. San Juan County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.6 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.6 F (2.6 F above century average)
#10. Taos County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 30.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 30.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (2.8 F above century average)
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#9. Mora County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.2 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.6 F (3 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.2 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.6 F (3 F above century average)
#8. Quay County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.4 F (3.2 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.4 F (3.2 F above century average)
#7. Lea County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.4 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.9 F (3.4 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.4 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.9 F (3.4 F above century average)
#6. Eddy County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.3 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.3 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78 F (2.7 F above century average)
#5. Guadalupe County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.8 F (3.8 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.8 F (3.8 F above century average)
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#4. Roosevelt County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.6 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.1 F (3.9 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.6 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.1 F (3.9 F above century average)
#3. Curry County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.1 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.9 F (3.9 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.1 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.9 F (3.9 F above century average)
#2. Chaves County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 45.4 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77 F (3.6 F above century average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 45.4 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77 F (3.6 F above century average)
#1. De Baca County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.6 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.2 F (4.8 F above century average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.6 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.2 F (4.8 F above century average)
