Counties in New York with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years

Written by:
January 3, 2023
Roman Babakin // Shutterstock

Counties in New York 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 New York 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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Nina Alizada // Shutterstock

#50. Oneida County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.3 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
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Lvklock // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Chemung County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.8 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59 F (2.8 F above century average)
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Colgate University // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Madison County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.8 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.6 F (2.7 F above century average)
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Marduk // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Steuben County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.1 F (2.4 F above century average)
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Lamar Gore/USFWS // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Schuyler County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.2 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
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Jwilson855 // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Montgomery County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.9 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.2 F (2.8 F above century average)
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marjobani // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Seneca County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
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Mihai_Andritoiu // Shutterstock

#43. Niagara County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.2 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
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Beyond My Ken // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Fulton County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
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Daniel Case // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Genesee County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58 F (2.6 F above century average)
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PQK // Shuterstock

#40. Cayuga County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.8 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
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Gbklyn // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Warren County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.7 F (2.5 F above century average)
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Andre Carrotflower // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Allegany County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.1 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58 F (2.6 F above century average)
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PQK // Shuterstock

#37. Yates County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.4 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.6 F (2.6 F above century average)
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Daniel Case // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Ontario County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.7 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (2.5 F above century average)
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Jimmy Emerson // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Orleans County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.8 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58 F (2.8 F above century average)
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Paul Brady Photography // Shutterstock

#34. Monroe County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (2.5 F above century average)
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North woodsman // Shutterstock

#33. Lewis County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.4 F (2.6 F above century average)
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Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock

#32. Jefferson County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.1 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56 F (2.7 F above century average)
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Pubdog // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Cattaraugus County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
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Kenneth C. Zirkel // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Wyoming County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.2 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.9 F (2.7 F above century average)
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Eric Richards // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Sullivan County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.3 F (2.7 F above century average)
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Andre Carrotflower // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Chautauqua County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
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Benjamin D. Esham (bdesham) // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Livingston County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.4 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59 F (2.7 F above century average)
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Mwanner // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Franklin County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 42.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 31.6 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54 F (3.3 F above century average)
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P199 // Wikimedia Commons

#25. St. Lawrence County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.5 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.2 F (3 F above century average)
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littlenySTOCK // Shutterstock

#24. Onondaga County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
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Richard Cavalleri // Shutterstock

#23. Clinton County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.5 F (3.2 F above century average)
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Canva

#22. Erie County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (2.7 F above century average)
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Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock

#21. Oswego County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.4 F (2.9 F above century average)
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Felix Lipov // Shutterstock

#20. Greene County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.1 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.3 F (2.8 F above century average)
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UpstateNYer // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Washington County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.6 F (2.9 F above century average)
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PhotoItaliaStudio // Shutterstock

#18. Saratoga County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (2.9 F above century average)
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UpstateNYer // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Schenectady County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.4 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.4 F (3.1 F above century average)
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Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock

#16. Albany County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.9 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.7 F (3 F above century average)
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Fred Hsu // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Ulster County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.8 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.4 F (3.1 F above century average)
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Daniel Case // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Columbia County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.8 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.6 F (2.9 F above century average)
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Matt H. Wade // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Rensselaer County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.5 F (3.4 F above century average)
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Mwanner // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Orange County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.9 F (3.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.4 F (3.4 F above century average)
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Bjoertvedt // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Queens County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.7 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.4 F (3.4 F above century average)
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Tim Hettler from New York, NY, USA // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Suffolk County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.8 degrees Fahrenheit (3.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 45 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.6 F (3.6 F above century average)
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Victor Moussa // Shutterstock

#9. Kings County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.4 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.5 F (3.5 F above century average)
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Felix Lipov // Shutterstock

#8. Rockland County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.5 F (3.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63 F (3.4 F above century average)
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littlenySTOCK // Shutterstock

#7. Nassau County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.8 F (3.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64 F (3.6 F above century average)
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Gryffindor // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Bronx County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.8 F (3.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.4 F (3.5 F above century average)
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pisaphotography // Shutterstock

#5. New York County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.1 F (3.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.6 F (3.5 F above century average)
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Colin D. Young // Shutterstock

#4. Dutchess County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.8 F (3.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62 F (3.5 F above century average)
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Canva

#3. Westchester County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.7 degrees Fahrenheit (3.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44 F (3.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.3 F (3.5 F above century average)
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James Kirkikis // Shutterstock

#2. Putnam County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52 degrees Fahrenheit (3.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42 F (3.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.9 F (3.5 F above century average)
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Roman Babakin // Shutterstock

#1. Richmond County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.8 F (3.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.1 F (3.6 F above century average)

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