Counties in Virginia with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years

Written by:
January 3, 2023
Mojo Hand // Wikimedia Commons

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.

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Stacker

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.

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Lzgoss // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Pubdog // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Ser Amantio di Nicolao // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Cecouchman // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Taber Andrew Bain // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Puddin Tain // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Mojo Hand // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Puddin Tain // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Ser Amantio di Nicolao // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Pics2018 // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Wyatt Greene // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Taber Andrew Bain from Richmond, VA, USA // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Taber Andrew Bain from Richmond, VA, USA // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Taber Andrew Bain from Richmond, VA, USA // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Alexiskferia // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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DanTD // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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SKM2000 // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Mojo Hand // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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James Shelton32 // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Yangiskan // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Petra holden // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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U.S. Navy photo // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Idawriter // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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ALXCHO // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Ealanghorne // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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gargola87 // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Ewelch1 // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Lvklock // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Moofpocket // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Famartin // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Nicole Glass Photography // Shutterstock

#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)
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Cecouchman // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Munich // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Mark Lagola and Ben Lunsford // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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jpmueller99 // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Acroterion // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Mojo Hand // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Idawriter // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Acroterion // Wikimedia Commons

#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)
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Mojo Hand // Wikimedia Commons

#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)

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