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 Mississippi 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.
Cohee // Wikimedia Commons
2 / 51#50. Tippah County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.1 F (2.3 F above century average)
Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons
3 / 51#49. Lafayette County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.4 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
Cohee // Wikimedia Commons
4 / 51#48. Calhoun County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.8 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.3 F (2.5 F above century average)
NatalieMaynor // Wikimedia Commons
5 / 51#47. Yalobusha County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.9 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
NatalieMaynor // Wikimedia Commons
6 / 51#46. Kemper County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.9 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.2 F (2.1 F above century average)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
7 / 51#45. Scott County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.6 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
Natalie Maynor // Wikimedia Commons
8 / 51#44. Smith County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.3 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.4 F (2 F above century average)
Nlsanfor // Wikimedia Commons
9 / 51#43. Covington County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.5 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.8 F (1.7 F above century average)
Courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History // Wikimedia Commons
10 / 51#42. Lincoln County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.6 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
Mac H. Alford // Wikimedia Commons
11 / 51#41. Amite County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.1 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.1 F (2.1 F above century average)
Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons
12 / 51#40. Greene County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.5 F (1.6 F above century average)
Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons
13 / 51#39. Perry County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.1 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.5 F (1.4 F above century average)
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons
14 / 51#38. Monroe County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.3 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
Matthew Nichols // Wikimedia Commons
15 / 51#37. Grenada County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.4 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.6 F (2.4 F above century average)
Sturmgewehr88 // Wikimedia
16 / 51#36. Forrest County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.4 F (1.5 F above century average)
Thomas R Machnitzki // Wikimedia Commons
17 / 51#35. Tallahatchie County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.4 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76 F (2.1 F above century average)
Rdstephens // Wikimedia Commons
18 / 51#34. Noxubee County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.3 F (2.4 F above century average)
Mississippi Department of Archives and History // Wikimedia Commons
19 / 51#33. Issaquena County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.6 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
Natalie Maynor // Wikimedia Commons
20 / 51#32. Sharkey County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.8 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.4 F (2.1 F above century average)
Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons
21 / 51#31. Jefferson Davis County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.1 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.6 F (1.6 F above century average)
Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons
22 / 51#30. Lawrence County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.1 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79 F (1.8 F above century average)
Z28scrambler // Wikimedia Commons
23 / 51#29. Pike County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.1 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.4 F (2.4 F above century average)
The diva777 // Wikimedia Commons
24 / 51#28. Lamar County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.1 F (1.6 F above century average)
Woodlot // Wikimedia Commons
25 / 51#27. Stone County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
dmtilley // Wikimedia Commons
26 / 51#26. George County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.9 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.1 F (2.2 F above century average)
Cohee // Wikimedia Commons
27 / 51#25. Chickasaw County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.4 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.4 F (2.7 F above century average)
Mark Hilton // Wikimedia Commons
28 / 51#24. Winston County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.7 F (2.5 F above century average)
Carlcath // Wikimedia Commons
29 / 51#23. Clay County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.8 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.8 F (2.6 F above century average)
Leigh T. Harrell // Wikimedia Commons
30 / 51#22. Lowndes County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons
31 / 51#21. Walthall County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.2 F (2.1 F above century average)
Gabriel D. May // Wikimedia Commons
32 / 51#20. Marion County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 56.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.3 F (1.7 F above century average)
Woodlot // Wikimedia Commons
33 / 51#19. Harrison County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 57.6 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.4 F (2.5 F above century average)
Cohee // Wikimedia Commons
34 / 51#18. Prentiss County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.9 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 74.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
CapCase // Wikimedia Commons
35 / 51#17. Neshoba County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.6 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.4 F (2.4 F above century average)
Woodlot // Wikimedia Commons
36 / 51#16. Pearl River County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 56.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
Infrogmation of New Orleans // Wikimedia Commons
37 / 51#15. Hancock County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 57.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.5 F (2.8 F above century average)
Cohee // Wikimedia Commons
38 / 51#14. Union County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.4 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.7 F (3 F above century average)
Mthunter58 // Wikimedia Commons
39 / 51#13. Oktibbeha 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: 53 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.8 F (2.6 F above century average)
Chillin662 // Wikimedia Commons
40 / 51#12. Holmes County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.2 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons
41 / 51#11. Humphreys County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.1 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
NatalieMaynor // Wikimedia Commons
42 / 51#10. Jasper County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.8 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
Quentin Melson // Wikimedia Commons
43 / 51#9. Jackson County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 57.6 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80 F (2.8 F above century average)
Fredlyfish4 // Wikimedia Commons
44 / 51#8. Itawamba County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.9 F (2.6 F above century average)
Michaelswikiusername // Wikimedia Commons
45 / 51#7. Pontotoc County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.1 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.2 F (3.1 F above century average)
Zeamays // Wikimedia Commons
46 / 51#6. Carroll County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.2 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.8 F (2.8 F above century average)
Dudemanfellabra // Wikimedia Commons
47 / 51#5. Lauderdale County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.1 F (2.6 F above century average)
Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons
48 / 51#4. Clarke County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.3 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79 F (2.6 F above century average)
Cohee // Wikimedia Commons
49 / 51#3. Lee County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.3 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 76.4 F (3.1 F above century average)
Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons
50 / 51#2. Leflore County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.7 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77 F (2.5 F above century average)
Brewri92535 // Wikimedia Commons
51 / 51#1. Newton County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.4 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.3 F (2.7 F above century average)
