Counties in Utah with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Written by:
January 3, 2023
tradville // Shutterstock
Counties in Utah 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 Utah 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.
#29. Cache County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #29 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.7 F (0.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.6 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #29 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.7 F (0.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.6 F (2.6 F above century average)
#28. Juab County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.9 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.6 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.9 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.6 F (2.3 F above century average)
#27. Millard County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66 F (2.4 F above century average)
#26. Tooele County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.3 F (1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.3 F (1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
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#25. Daggett County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 42.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 28.8 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.6 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 28.8 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.6 F (2.7 F above century average)
#24. Sevier County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.9 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.9 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.4 F (2.8 F above century average)
#23. Box Elder County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
#22. Summit County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 39.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 27.6 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 51.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 27.6 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 51.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
#21. Rich County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 41.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 28.1 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.5 F (3.2 F above century average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 28.1 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.5 F (3.2 F above century average)
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#20. Sanpete County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32 F (1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.1 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32 F (1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.1 F (2.8 F above century average)
#19. Utah County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.3 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.3 F (2.2 F above century average)
#18. Beaver County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.5 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.2 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.5 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.2 F (2.5 F above century average)
#17. Washington County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
#16. Piute County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 30.9 F (1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (3.3 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 30.9 F (1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (3.3 F above century average)
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#15. San Juan County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.4 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.4 F (1.9 F above century average)
#14. Wasatch County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 42.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 30 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 30 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 54.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
#13. Iron County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.1 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.1 F (2.5 F above century average)
#12. Kane County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67 F (2.8 F above century average)
#11. Morgan County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.2 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 56.2 F (2.8 F above century average)
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#10. Carbon County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.7 F (3 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 32.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.7 F (3 F above century average)
#9. Garfield County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.6 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.7 F (3 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 36.6 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.7 F (3 F above century average)
#8. Emery County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.8 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.1 F (3.2 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.8 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.1 F (3.2 F above century average)
#7. Weber County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.6 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.8 F (3.4 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 35.6 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.8 F (3.4 F above century average)
#6. Wayne County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65 F (3.2 F above century average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65 F (3.2 F above century average)
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#5. Salt Lake County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.6 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.9 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.6 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.9 F (2.7 F above century average)
#4. Davis County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
#3. Duchesne County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 30.2 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.7 F (3.3 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 30.2 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 55.7 F (3.3 F above century average)
#2. Uintah County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.3 F (3 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 33.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.3 F (3 F above century average)
#1. Grand County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.2 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.3 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.2 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.3 F (2.8 F above century average)
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