Counties in South Carolina with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Written by:
January 3, 2023
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Counties in South 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.
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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 South 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.
#46. Bamberg County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.3 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.8 F (1.1 F above century average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.3 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.8 F (1.1 F above century average)
#45. Oconee County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.8 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.8 F (1 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.8 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.8 F (1 F above century average)
#44. Georgetown County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.3 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.1 F (1.4 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.3 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.1 F (1.4 F above century average)
#43. Fairfield County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.9 F (1.2 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.9 F (1.2 F above century average)
#42. Chester County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.7 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.2 F (1.4 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.7 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.2 F (1.4 F above century average)
#41. Union County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.1 F (1.4 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.1 F (1.4 F above century average)
#40. Laurens County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.3 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.3 F (1.8 F above century average)
#39. Barnwell County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.4 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.2 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.4 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.2 F (1.7 F above century average)
#38. Orangeburg County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.1 F (1.5 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.1 F (1.5 F above century average)
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#37. Allendale County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.7 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.7 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
#36. Cherokee County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.2 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.5 F (2 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.2 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.5 F (2 F above century average)
#35. Newberry County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.3 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.3 F (1.8 F above century average)
#34. Greenwood County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.8 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.8 F (1.7 F above century average)
#33. Horry County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.1 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.4 F (1.4 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.1 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.4 F (1.4 F above century average)
#32. Richland County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.2 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.2 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.2 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.2 F (1.7 F above century average)
#31. Calhoun County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
#30. Clarendon County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.8 F (1.4 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.8 F (1.4 F above century average)
#29. Williamsburg County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.1 F (1.5 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.1 F (1.5 F above century average)
#28. York County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 49.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74 F (2.3 F above century average)
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#27. McCormick County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.4 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.9 F (1.3 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.4 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.9 F (1.3 F above century average)
#26. Sumter County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.7 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.2 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.7 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.2 F (1.6 F above century average)
#25. Pickens County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.5 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.5 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72 F (1.7 F above century average)
#24. Spartanburg County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.1 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.1 F (1.9 F above century average)
#23. Lancaster County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.4 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.4 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
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#22. Abbeville County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.4 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.4 F (1.9 F above century average)
#21. Kershaw County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.3 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.3 F (1.8 F above century average)
#20. Saluda County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.6 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.6 F (1.7 F above century average)
#19. Berkeley County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.4 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.4 F (1.6 F above century average)
#18. Dorchester County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
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#17. Lexington County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
#16. Marion County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.7 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.5 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.7 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.5 F (1.9 F above century average)
#15. Colleton County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.1 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.1 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
#14. Hampton County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
#13. Greenville County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.3 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.3 F (2.4 F above century average)
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#12. Chesterfield County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75 F (2.2 F above century average)
#11. Edgefield County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.5 F (1.3 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.5 F (1.3 F above century average)
#10. Aiken County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.7 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.7 F (1.7 F above century average)
#9. Anderson County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.9 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 73.9 F (2.4 F above century average)
#8. Lee County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.1 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.1 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.1 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.1 F (2.2 F above century average)
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#7. Florence County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77 F (2.3 F above century average)
#6. Charleston County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 57.2 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.1 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 57.2 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.1 F (1.9 F above century average)
#5. Jasper County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 56.4 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.7 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 56.4 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.7 F (2.7 F above century average)
#4. Darlington County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.1 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.3 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.1 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.3 F (2.6 F above century average)
#3. Marlboro County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.9 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.1 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.9 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.1 F (2.6 F above century average)
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#2. Dillon County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.3 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.3 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
#1. Beaufort County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 58.7 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 58.7 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
