Counties in Oregon with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Written by:
January 3, 2023
tradville // Shutterstock
Counties in Oregon 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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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 Oregon 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.
#36. Wallowa County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #36 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.6 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.7 F (1.3 F above century average)
- #36 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.6 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.7 F (1.3 F above century average)
#35. Lincoln County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.2 F (0.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.9 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.2 F (0.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.9 F (1.9 F above century average)
#34. Benton County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.5 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.5 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63 F (1.8 F above century average)
#33. Linn County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.5 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.4 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.5 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.4 F (1.6 F above century average)
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#32. Tillamook County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.1 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.1 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (1.7 F above century average)
#31. Lane County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.1 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.1 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
#30. Washington County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.2 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.1 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.2 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.1 F (1.9 F above century average)
#29. Yamhill County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62 F (1.7 F above century average)
#28. Union County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.1 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.9 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.1 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.9 F (1.9 F above century average)
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#27. Baker County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.6 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.3 F (1.5 F above century average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.6 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.3 F (1.5 F above century average)
#26. Malheur County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.6 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.6 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
#25. Clatsop County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.9 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.1 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.9 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.1 F (1.6 F above century average)
#24. Marion County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.9 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.3 F (2 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.9 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.3 F (2 F above century average)
#23. Multnomah County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.3 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.3 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61 F (1.6 F above century average)
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#22. Columbia County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.9 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.9 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
#21. Polk County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.4 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.4 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
#20. Grant County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.8 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.8 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
#19. Coos County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.5 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.5 F (2.1 F above century average)
#18. Clackamas County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (2 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (2 F above century average)
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#17. Sherman County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.9 F (3 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.9 F (3 F above century average)
#16. Wasco County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
#15. Umatilla County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
#14. Morrow County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
#13. Gilliam County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.2 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.2 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63 F (2.6 F above century average)
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#12. Douglas County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.7 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.7 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
#11. Curry County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.7 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.3 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.7 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.3 F (2.6 F above century average)
#10. Deschutes County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.6 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.3 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.6 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.3 F (2.5 F above century average)
#9. Hood River County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.3 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.1 F (2 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.3 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.1 F (2 F above century average)
#8. Wheeler County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.3 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.4 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.3 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.4 F (2.8 F above century average)
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#7. Crook County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.6 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.4 F (3.1 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.6 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.4 F (3.1 F above century average)
#6. Jackson County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
#5. Jefferson County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.4 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.4 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61 F (2.9 F above century average)
#4. Lake County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.1 F (3.2 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.1 F (3.2 F above century average)
#3. Harney County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.7 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.6 F (3.1 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.7 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.6 F (3.1 F above century average)
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#2. Josephine County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.1 F (3.3 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.1 F (3.3 F above century average)
#1. Klamath County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.4 F (3.2 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.4 F (3.2 F above century average)
