Counties in Virginia with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Written by:
January 3, 2023
tradville // Shutterstock
Counties in Virginia 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 Virginia 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. Bedford County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.2 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.2 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
#49. Caroline County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.8 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.8 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
#48. Powhatan County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.1 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.7 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.1 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.7 F (2.5 F above century average)
#47. Dinwiddie County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.6 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.6 F (2.9 F above century average)
#46. Mathews County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.5 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.5 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70 F (2.4 F above century average)
#45. Greensville County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.8 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.1 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.8 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.1 F (2.3 F above century average)
#44. Sussex County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.6 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.4 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.6 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.4 F (2.9 F above century average)
#43. James City County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.3 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.3 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71 F (2.5 F above century average)
#42. Southampton County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.5 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.5 F (2.5 F above century average)
#41. Surry County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
#40. Isle of Wight County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.2 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.1 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.2 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.1 F (2.8 F above century average)
#39. Madison County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
#38. Arlington County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.4 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.4 F (2.5 F above century average)
#37. Appomattox County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.1 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.5 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.1 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.5 F (2.1 F above century average)
#36. Buckingham County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.3 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.2 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.3 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.2 F (2.1 F above century average)
#35. Cumberland County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.2 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.2 F (2.3 F above century average)
#34. Amelia County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.6 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.7 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.6 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.7 F (2.6 F above century average)
#33. Brunswick County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.3 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.4 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.3 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.4 F (2.4 F above century average)
#32. Northampton County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.2 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.2 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.2 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.2 F (2.8 F above century average)
#31. Emporia City
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.9 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.9 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 72.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
#30. Williamsburg City
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.5 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.5 F (2.8 F above century average)
#29. York County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71 F (2.7 F above century average)
#28. Chesapeake City
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
#27. Poquoson City
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.9 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.9 F (2.8 F above century average)
#26. Newport News City
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.4 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 51.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.4 F (2.9 F above century average)
#25. Hampton City
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.2 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.2 F (2.8 F above century average)
#24. Portsmouth City
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 71.2 F (2.9 F above century average)
#23. Staunton City
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.5 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.4 F (3.2 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.5 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.4 F (3.2 F above century average)
#22. Fairfax City
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47 F (2.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
#21. Alexandria City
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.1 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.1 F (2.6 F above century average)
#20. Fluvanna County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.8 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.8 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
#19. Nottoway County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.6 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.6 F (2.7 F above century average)
#18. Virginia Beach City
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.5 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.4 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.5 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.4 F (2.8 F above century average)
#17. Norfolk City
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.9 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 52.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70.9 F (2.9 F above century average)
#16. Waynesboro City
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.6 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67 F (3.1 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.6 F (2.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67 F (3.1 F above century average)
#15. Charlottesville City
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.6 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.6 F (2.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
#14. Greene County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.9 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.9 F (2.8 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.9 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.9 F (2.8 F above century average)
#13. Loudoun County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 45.8 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 45.8 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
#12. Fauquier County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 45.4 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 45.4 F (2.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
#11. Fairfax County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.2 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.4 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.2 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.4 F (2.7 F above century average)
#10. Albemarle County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.3 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.5 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #7 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.3 F (2.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.5 F (2.7 F above century average)
#9. Campbell County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.4 F (3.1 F above century average)
- #5 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.4 F (3.1 F above century average)
#8. Accomack County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.3 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.5 F (3.2 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 50.3 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.5 F (3.2 F above century average)
#7. Manassas Park City
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.1 F (3.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.9 F (3 F above century average)
- #10 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.1 F (3.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.9 F (3 F above century average)
#6. King George County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.9 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.4 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.4 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 48.4 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.4 F (2.7 F above century average)
#5. Manassas City
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.6 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.1 F (3.1 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47 F (3.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.1 F (3.1 F above century average)
#4. Prince William County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.8 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.4 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.2 F (3.1 F above century average)
- #8 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.4 F (3.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.2 F (3.1 F above century average)
#3. Fredericksburg City
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47 F (3.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.3 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47 F (3.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.3 F (2.9 F above century average)
#2. Lynchburg City
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70 F (3.6 F above century average)
- #3 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47 F (3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 70 F (3.6 F above century average)
#1. Stafford County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.8 F (3.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.1 F (3.2 F above century average)
- #6 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 47.8 F (3.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 69.1 F (3.2 F above century average)
