Counties in Pennsylvania with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Written by:
January 3, 2023
tradville // Shutterstock
Counties in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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. Tioga County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.7 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.7 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
#49. Clinton County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.7 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.4 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.7 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.4 F (2.1 F above century average)
#48. Venango County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.8 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.6 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.8 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.6 F (2.3 F above century average)
#47. Clearfield County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.9 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.9 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
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#46. Clarion County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.7 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.3 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.7 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.3 F (2.4 F above century average)
#45. Bedford County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.4 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.8 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.4 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.8 F (2.1 F above century average)
#44. Huntingdon County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.8 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.8 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
#43. Juniata County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
#42. Franklin County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.9 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.9 F (2.3 F above century average)
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#41. Lycoming County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.2 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.1 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.2 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.1 F (2.4 F above century average)
#40. Mercer County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.6 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.6 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
#39. Union County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.5 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.5 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
#38. Snyder County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62 F (2.3 F above century average)
#37. Fulton County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.3 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.3 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64 F (2.3 F above century average)
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#36. Susquehanna County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (2.6 F above century average)
#35. Forest County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.9 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.3 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.9 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.3 F (2.9 F above century average)
#34. Potter County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.4 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.4 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (2.5 F above century average)
#33. Crawford County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.3 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.3 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
#32. Columbia County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.5 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.5 F (2.3 F above century average)
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#31. Montour County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
#30. Perry County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.8 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.8 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.8 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.8 F (2.6 F above century average)
#29. Adams County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64 F (2.3 F above century average)
#28. Warren County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (2.7 F above century average)
#27. Cameron County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
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#26. Erie County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.6 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.6 F (2.6 F above century average)
#25. Cumberland County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.1 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.9 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.1 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.9 F (2.7 F above century average)
#24. Wayne County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.7 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.7 F (3 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.7 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.7 F (3 F above century average)
#23. Pike County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.5 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.2 F (3 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.5 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.2 F (3 F above century average)
#22. Monroe 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: 37.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
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#21. Wyoming County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 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: 59.1 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.1 F (2.8 F above century average)
#20. Luzerne County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59 F (2.6 F above century average)
#19. Carbon County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.3 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.3 F (2.2 F above century average)
#18. Schuylkill County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
#17. Northumberland County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.3 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.7 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.3 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.7 F (2.5 F above century average)
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#16. Jefferson County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60 F (3 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60 F (3 F above century average)
#15. Berks County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.6 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.6 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
#14. Chester County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.6 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.6 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.6 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.6 F (2.8 F above century average)
#13. Elk County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.4 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.3 F (3.1 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.4 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.3 F (3.1 F above century average)
#12. Lancaster County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.3 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.7 F (3.1 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.3 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.7 F (3.1 F above century average)
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#11. Lackawanna County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.7 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.4 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59 F (3.4 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.4 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59 F (3.4 F above century average)
#10. Lehigh County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.8 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.7 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.7 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.7 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.7 F (2.9 F above century average)
#9. Delaware County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.9 F (3.3 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.9 F (3.3 F above century average)
#8. Lebanon County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.3 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.3 F (3.1 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.3 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.3 F (3.1 F above century average)
#7. York County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.8 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.6 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.8 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.6 F (2.9 F above century average)
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#6. McKean County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.7 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.8 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.6 F (3.1 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.8 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.6 F (3.1 F above century average)
#5. Northampton County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.7 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.3 F (3.4 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.7 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.3 F (3.4 F above century average)
#4. Dauphin County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.6 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.1 F (3.1 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.6 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.1 F (3.1 F above century average)
#3. Montgomery County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.8 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.4 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.4 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
#2. Philadelphia County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.6 degrees Fahrenheit (3.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.7 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.5 F (3.9 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.7 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.5 F (3.9 F above century average)
#1. Bucks County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.6 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.9 F (3.6 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.6 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.9 F (3.6 F above century average)
