Counties in Texas with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Written by:
January 3, 2023
tradville // Shutterstock
Counties in Texas 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 Texas 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. Llano County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 69 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 82.2 F (3.9 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 82.2 F (3.9 F above century average)
#49. Bastrop County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 70.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 58.3 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 82.5 F (3.7 F above century average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 58.3 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 82.5 F (3.7 F above century average)
#48. Washington County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 70.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 59.2 F (3.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 59.2 F (3.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
#47. Medina County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 71.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 57.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 84.8 F (3.8 F above century average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 57.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 84.8 F (3.8 F above century average)
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#46. Armstrong County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.5 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.6 F (4.1 F above century average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.5 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 75.6 F (4.1 F above century average)
#45. Ector County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.7 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.6 F (3.2 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.7 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.6 F (3.2 F above century average)
#44. Baylor County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.6 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.5 F (4.4 F above century average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.6 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.5 F (4.4 F above century average)
#43. Hunt County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.6 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.3 F (4 F above century average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.3 F (4 F above century average)
#42. Callahan County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.8 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.2 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.3 F (5 F above century average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.2 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.3 F (5 F above century average)
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#41. Coke County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.2 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.8 F (3.9 F above century average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.2 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.8 F (3.9 F above century average)
#40. Palo Pinto County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.6 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.1 F (4.8 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.6 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.1 F (4.8 F above century average)
#39. Ward County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 83.3 F (3.7 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 83.3 F (3.7 F above century average)
#38. Crane County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.8 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 82.5 F (3.4 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 82.5 F (3.4 F above century average)
#37. Somervell County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.8 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.9 F (4.1 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.8 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.9 F (4.1 F above century average)
#36. Austin County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 71.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 60.2 F (3.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 82 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 60.2 F (3.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 82 F (2.7 F above century average)
#35. Galveston County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 72 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 63.7 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.3 F (3.6 F above century average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 63.7 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.3 F (3.6 F above century average)
#34. Kent County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.4 F (3.9 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.4 F (3.9 F above century average)
#33. Fannin County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.9 F (3.8 F above century average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 77.9 F (3.8 F above century average)
#32. Knox County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.7 F (4.4 F above century average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.7 F (4.4 F above century average)
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#31. Midland County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.4 F (3.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.7 F (3.3 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.4 F (3.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.7 F (3.3 F above century average)
#30. Schleicher County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.9 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.7 F (3.8 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.7 F (3.8 F above century average)
#29. Pecos County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.4 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.6 F (3.5 F above century average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.4 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.6 F (3.5 F above century average)
#28. Irion County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.2 F (3.7 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.2 F (3.7 F above century average)
#27. Sutton County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.8 F (3.8 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.8 F (3.8 F above century average)
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#26. Mills County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.9 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.7 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.2 F (4.7 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 54.7 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.2 F (4.7 F above century average)
#25. Caldwell County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 71 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 58.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 83.5 F (4.2 F above century average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 58.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 83.5 F (4.2 F above century average)
#24. Scurry County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.5 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.7 F (4.1 F above century average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.5 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.7 F (4.1 F above century average)
#23. King County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.5 F (4.1 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.5 F (4.1 F above century average)
#22. Sterling County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.8 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.5 F (3.8 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.5 F (3.8 F above century average)
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#21. Reagan County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.9 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.7 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.1 F (3.9 F above century average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.7 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.1 F (3.9 F above century average)
#20. Eastland County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.5 F (4.7 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.5 F (4.7 F above century average)
#19. Collin County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.7 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.6 F (4.1 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.7 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 78.6 F (4.1 F above century average)
#18. Kimble County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81 F (3.9 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81 F (3.9 F above century average)
#17. Concho County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.6 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.2 F (4.1 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.2 F (4.1 F above century average)
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#16. San Saba County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.3 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.5 F (4.2 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.3 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.5 F (4.2 F above century average)
#15. Colorado County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 71.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 60.7 F (3.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 82.3 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 60.7 F (3.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 82.3 F (2.9 F above century average)
#14. Fisher County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.6 degrees Fahrenheit (3.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.5 F (4.7 F above century average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.5 F (4.7 F above century average)
#13. Fayette County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 71.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 60 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 82.7 F (3.5 F above century average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 60 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 82.7 F (3.5 F above century average)
#12. Glasscock County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.7 degrees Fahrenheit (3.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.7 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.6 F (4.1 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.7 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.6 F (4.1 F above century average)
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#11. Menard County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.9 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.4 F (3.9 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.9 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.4 F (3.9 F above century average)
#10. Hamilton County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.1 F (5.1 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.1 F (5.1 F above century average)
#9. Mason County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.9 F (4.2 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.9 F (4.2 F above century average)
#8. Lavaca County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 72 degrees Fahrenheit (3.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 60.5 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 83.5 F (3.8 F above century average)
- #4 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 60.5 F (3.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 83.5 F (3.8 F above century average)
#7. Nolan County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 66.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.9 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.9 F (4.9 F above century average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.9 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 79.9 F (4.9 F above century average)
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#6. Mitchell County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81 F (4.2 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81 F (4.2 F above century average)
#5. Coleman County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 67.7 degrees Fahrenheit (3.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.8 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.6 F (5.5 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 53.8 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.6 F (5.5 F above century average)
#4. McCulloch County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.3 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.9 F (3.8 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.3 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 80.9 F (3.8 F above century average)
#3. Brown County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.6 F (5 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.6 F (5 F above century average)
#2. Comanche County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.1 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.4 F (5.3 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.1 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81.4 F (5.3 F above century average)
#1. Erath County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 68.3 degrees Fahrenheit (4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.5 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81 F (5.2 F above century average)
- #2 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 55.5 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 81 F (5.2 F above century average)
