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 Florida 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.
Organizedchaos02 // Wikimedia Commons
2 / 51#50. Baker County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 69.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 57.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.5 F (2.5 F above century average)
#49. Suwannee County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 69.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 58.1 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons
4 / 51#48. Bradford County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 70.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 59 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.8 F (2.1 F above century average)
DouglasGreen // Wikimedia Commons
5 / 51#47. Alachua County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 70.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 59.6 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 82.2 F (1.7 F above century average)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
6 / 51#46. DeSoto County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 74.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 62.7 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 85.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
7 / 51#45. Walton County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 57.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.1 F (2.3 F above century average)
User:Tim Ross // Wikimedia Commons
8 / 51#44. Jefferson County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 69.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 58.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.4 F (1.7 F above century average)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
9 / 51#43. Gulf County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 69.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 59.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.9 F (2.4 F above century average)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
10 / 51#42. Hendry County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 75.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 65.1 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 85.8 F (1.8 F above century average)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
11 / 51#41. Okaloosa County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 69 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 57.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.3 F (2.4 F above century average)
j.s. clark // Wikimedia Commons
12 / 51#40. Bay County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 69.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 59.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.9 F (2.6 F above century average)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
13 / 51#39. Glades County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 75 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 64.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 85.6 F (2.1 F above century average)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
14 / 51#38. Madison County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 69.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 58.2 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.6 F (1.8 F above century average)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
15 / 51#37. Gilchrist County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 70.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 59 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 82.2 F (2.2 F above century average)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
16 / 51#36. Lafayette County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 70.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 58.8 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.5 F (2 F above century average)
Roman Eugeniusz // Wikimedia Commons
17 / 51#35. Manatee County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 74.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 63.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 84.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
#34. Nassau County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 70.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 59.3 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.8 F (2.8 F above century average)
Zhukova Valentyna // Shutterstock
19 / 51#33. Brevard County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 74.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 66.3 F (3.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 82.3 F (1.7 F above century average)
Georgia Guercio // Wikimedia Commons
20 / 51#32. St. Lucie County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 75.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 65.7 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 84.5 F (2.6 F above century average)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
21 / 51#31. Taylor County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 70.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 59.8 F (3.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.1 F (2.2 F above century average)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
22 / 51#30. Hardee County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 74.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 63 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 85.9 F (2.7 F above century average)
#29. Indian River County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 74.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 65.3 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 83.6 F (2.3 F above century average)
Bastique // Wikimedia Commons
24 / 51#28. Okeechobee County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 74.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 64.6 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 85 F (2.5 F above century average)
#27. Martin County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 75.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 66.4 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 85 F (2.6 F above century average)
Swarm // Wikimedia Commons
26 / 51#26. Collier County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 76.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 66.9 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 86.5 F (2.1 F above century average)
Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons
27 / 51#25. Dixie County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 71 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 60.4 F (3.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
Excel23 // Wikimedia Commons
28 / 51#24. Clay County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 71.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 60.8 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.9 F (2.6 F above century average)
#23. Marion County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 72.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 61.7 F (3.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 83.3 F (2.4 F above century average)
Xavier6984 // Wikimedia Commons
30 / 51#22. Seminole County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 74.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 64.5 F (3.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 83.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
Fl295 // Wikimedia Commons
31 / 51#21. Highlands County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 74.9 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 63.7 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 86.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
#20. Pinellas County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 74.9 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 66.5 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 83.3 F (3 F above century average)
Michael Kagdis // Wikimedia Commons
33 / 51#19. Palm Beach County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 76.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 67 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 85.9 F (2.6 F above century average)
#18. Monroe County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 77.9 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 70.4 F (4.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 85.5 F (1.9 F above century average)
#17. Duval County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 71 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 61 F (3.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.1 F (3.1 F above century average)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
36 / 51#16. Volusia County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 64 F (3.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 82.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
37 / 51#15. Levy County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 71.9 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 61.3 F (3.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 82.5 F (2.7 F above century average)
Songquan Deng // Shutterstock
38 / 51#14. Orange County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 74.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 64.7 F (4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 84.3 F (2.4 F above century average)
#13. Broward County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 77.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 68.2 F (3.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 86.3 F (2.6 F above century average)
Captain-tucker // Wikimedia Commons
40 / 51#12. Miami-Dade County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 77.6 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 69.5 F (4.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 85.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
Excel23 // Wikimedia Commons
41 / 51#11. Putnam County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 72.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 62.3 F (4.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 82.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
#10. Lake County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 73.7 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 63.1 F (3.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 84.3 F (2.9 F above century average)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
43 / 51#9. Osceola County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 74.9 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 65.1 F (4.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 84.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
44 / 51#8. Citrus County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 73.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 62.7 F (3.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 83.6 F (3.1 F above century average)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
45 / 51#7. Sumter County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 62.4 F (3.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 84.4 F (3.1 F above century average)
#6. Polk County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 74.9 degrees Fahrenheit (3.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 64.2 F (4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 85.6 F (2.9 F above century average)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
47 / 51#5. Pasco County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 73.9 degrees Fahrenheit (3.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 63.5 F (3.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 84.2 F (3.4 F above century average)
Clément Bardot // Wikimedia Commons
48 / 51#4. Hillsborough County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 74.7 degrees Fahrenheit (3.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 64.7 F (3.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 84.8 F (3.4 F above century average)
Daniel Wilton // Wikimedia Commons
49 / 51#3. Hernando County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 73.6 degrees Fahrenheit (3.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 63.2 F (3.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 84 F (3.3 F above century average)
#2. St. Johns County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 72.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 63.5 F (4.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.5 F (3.1 F above century average)
Georgia Guercio // Wikimedia Commons
51 / 51#1. Flagler County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 73.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 63.9 F (4.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 82.4 F (2.9 F above century average)
