Counties in South Dakota with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Written by:
January 3, 2023
tradville // Shutterstock
Counties in South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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. Faulk County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44 degrees Fahrenheit (0.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #44 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 31.9 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56 F (0.9 F above century average)
- #44 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 31.9 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56 F (0.9 F above century average)
#49. Potter County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44 degrees Fahrenheit (0.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #44 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 31.6 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.4 F (1.2 F above century average)
- #44 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 31.6 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.4 F (1.2 F above century average)
#48. Jerauld County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.8 degrees Fahrenheit (0.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #44 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.7 F (-0.4 F below century average)
- Recent average high: 58.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #44 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.7 F (-0.4 F below century average)
- Recent average high: 58.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
#47. Deuel County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 42.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #40 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 53.1 F (0.5 F above century average)
- #40 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 53.1 F (0.5 F above century average)
#46. Dewey County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #41 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.4 F (0.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #41 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.4 F (0.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
#45. Lawrence County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #38 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 30.4 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #38 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 30.4 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
#44. Kingsbury County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #36 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.6 F (1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.3 F (1.4 F above century average)
- #36 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.6 F (1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.3 F (1.4 F above century average)
#43. Spink County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #40 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.4 F (1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57 F (1.3 F above century average)
- #40 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.4 F (1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 57 F (1.3 F above century average)
#42. Hand County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #41 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.4 F (0.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #41 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.4 F (0.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58 F (1.7 F above century average)
#41. Beadle County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #38 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.8 F (0.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #38 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.8 F (0.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
#40. Aurora County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #37 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.2 F (-0.2 F below century average)
- Recent average high: 60.6 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #37 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.2 F (-0.2 F below century average)
- Recent average high: 60.6 F (2.7 F above century average)
#39. Douglas County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #36 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.2 F (0 F below century average)
- Recent average high: 61.4 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #36 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.2 F (0 F below century average)
- Recent average high: 61.4 F (2.4 F above century average)
#38. Jones County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #37 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.1 F (0.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.6 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #37 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.1 F (0.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.6 F (1.7 F above century average)
#37. Moody County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #34 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.7 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.4 F (1.3 F above century average)
- #34 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.7 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.4 F (1.3 F above century average)
#36. Hyde County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #34 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 31.9 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.1 F (2 F above century average)
- #34 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 31.9 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.1 F (2 F above century average)
#35. Lake County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #33 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.5 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.9 F (1.5 F above century average)
- #33 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.5 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.9 F (1.5 F above century average)
#34. McCook County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #35 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.2 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.9 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #35 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.2 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.9 F (1.9 F above century average)
#33. Hamlin County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #35 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.6 F (1.3 F above century average)
- #35 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.6 F (1.3 F above century average)
#32. Brookings County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #32 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55 F (1 F above century average)
- #32 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55 F (1 F above century average)
#31. Sully County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #33 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.5 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59 F (2 F above century average)
- #33 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.5 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59 F (2 F above century average)
#30. Buffalo County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #36 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.8 F (0 F below century average)
- Recent average high: 60.4 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #36 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.8 F (0 F below century average)
- Recent average high: 60.4 F (2.8 F above century average)
#29. Hughes County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #33 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.3 F (0.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #33 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.3 F (0.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
#28. Stanley County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #34 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.5 F (0.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #34 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.5 F (0.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61 F (2.3 F above century average)
#27. Haakon County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #36 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.1 F (0 F below century average)
- Recent average high: 61.6 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #36 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.1 F (0 F below century average)
- Recent average high: 61.6 F (2.7 F above century average)
#26. Hutchinson County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #34 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.9 F (0.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #34 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.9 F (0.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
#25. Union County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #28 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.7 F (0.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.1 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #28 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.7 F (0.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.1 F (2.4 F above century average)
#24. Custer County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #33 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.9 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #33 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.9 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
#23. Clay County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.2 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.2 F (2.3 F above century average)
#22. Pennington County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #30 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.8 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.2 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #30 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.8 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.2 F (2.3 F above century average)
#21. Lincoln County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #27 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.1 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #27 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.1 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
#20. Lyman County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #31 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.3 F (0.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #31 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.3 F (0.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
#19. Jackson County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #33 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.4 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.6 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #33 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.4 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.6 F (2.4 F above century average)
#18. Mellette County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #33 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.5 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #33 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.5 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63 F (2.5 F above century average)
#17. Perkins County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #32 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 31 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.3 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #32 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 31 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.3 F (2.7 F above century average)
#16. Meade County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #28 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #28 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61 F (2.8 F above century average)
#15. Bon Homme County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.9 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.9 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
#14. Charles Mix County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.5 F (0.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.6 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.5 F (0.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.6 F (2.8 F above century average)
#13. Ziebach County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #27 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.4 F (0.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.1 F (3.2 F above century average)
- #27 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.4 F (0.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.1 F (3.2 F above century average)
#12. Brule County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #31 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.2 F (0.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.5 F (3 F above century average)
- #31 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.2 F (0.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.5 F (3 F above century average)
#11. Fall River County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.4 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.4 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
#10. Turner County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.4 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.1 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.4 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.1 F (2.3 F above century average)
#9. Bennett County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.9 F (1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.9 F (1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
#8. Todd County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.3 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.8 F (3.2 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.3 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.8 F (3.2 F above century average)
#7. Yankton County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.4 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.3 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.4 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.3 F (2.5 F above century average)
#6. Gregory County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.5 F (0.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.6 F (3.3 F above century average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.5 F (0.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.6 F (3.3 F above century average)
#5. Harding County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 31.2 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 31.2 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (2.9 F above century average)
#4. Butte County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.6 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.6 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.6 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.6 F (2.8 F above century average)
#3. Tripp County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.2 F (3.4 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.2 F (3.4 F above century average)
#2. Minnehaha County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
#1. Oglala Lakota County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.7 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.1 F (3 F above century average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 34.7 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.1 F (3 F above century average)
