Counties in North Carolina with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Written by:
January 3, 2023
tradville // Shutterstock
Counties in North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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. Beaufort County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.9 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.9 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
#49. Bladen County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
#48. Pamlico County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
#47. Brunswick County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.5 F (3.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.1 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.5 F (3.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.1 F (1.6 F above century average)
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#46. Orange County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.5 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.2 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.5 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.2 F (2.5 F above century average)
#45. Warren County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.6 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.6 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
#44. Randolph County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.1 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.2 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.1 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.2 F (2.1 F above century average)
#43. Nash County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.2 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.3 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.2 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.3 F (2.5 F above century average)
#42. Chatham County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73 F (2.1 F above century average)
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#41. Wilson County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.6 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.9 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.6 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.9 F (2.6 F above century average)
#40. Union County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
#39. Harnett County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.3 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.1 F (2 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.3 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.1 F (2 F above century average)
#38. Tyrrell County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.6 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.6 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.6 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.6 F (2.1 F above century average)
#37. Jones County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
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#36. Surry County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
#35. Forsyth County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.6 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.5 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.6 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.5 F (1.9 F above century average)
#34. Person County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.4 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.7 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.4 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.7 F (2.8 F above century average)
#33. Vance County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.4 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.4 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
#32. Rowan County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.4 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.4 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
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#31. Camden County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
#30. Wake County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.3 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.3 F (2.4 F above century average)
#29. Currituck County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
#28. Lee County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.8 F (3.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.8 F (3.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
#27. Chowan County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
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#26. Anson County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.9 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.6 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.9 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.6 F (2.1 F above century average)
#25. Cumberland County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.3 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.1 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.3 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.1 F (2.3 F above century average)
#24. Craven County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
#23. Onslow County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.3 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.3 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75 F (2.3 F above century average)
#22. Davie County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.5 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.4 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.5 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.4 F (2.1 F above century average)
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#21. Franklin County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
#20. Lincoln County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
#19. Pasquotank County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.8 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.1 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.8 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.1 F (2.5 F above century average)
#18. Perquimans County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.7 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.7 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
#17. Washington County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
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#16. Pender County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.4 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.4 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
#15. Carteret County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.6 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.3 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.6 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.3 F (2.6 F above century average)
#14. Yadkin County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.6 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.6 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
#13. Granville County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72 F (2.6 F above century average)
#12. Durham County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.9 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.1 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.9 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.1 F (2.8 F above century average)
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#11. Cabarrus County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.7 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.7 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
#10. Stanly County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.4 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.4 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
#9. Robeson County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.9 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.9 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.9 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.9 F (2.4 F above century average)
#8. Gaston County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.7 F (3.3 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.7 F (3.3 F above century average)
#7. Richmond County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
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#6. Mecklenburg County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.6 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74 F (3.2 F above century average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.6 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74 F (3.2 F above century average)
#5. Montgomery County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.7 F (3.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.9 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.7 F (3.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.9 F (2.3 F above century average)
#4. New Hanover County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.9 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.9 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
#3. Moore County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.9 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.7 F (3.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.1 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.7 F (3.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.1 F (2.4 F above century average)
#2. Hoke County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.7 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.2 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.2 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
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#1. Scotland County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.6 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.7 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.6 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.7 F (2.8 F above century average)
