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

Written by:
January 3, 2023
Famartin // Wikimedia Commons

Counties in West 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 West 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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w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Wyoming County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #34 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.3 F (0.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.6 F (1.7 F above century average)
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Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Logan County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #30 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44 F (0.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
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Tim Kiser // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Raleigh County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #28 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.7 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.4 F (1.5 F above century average)
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w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Boone County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #30 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.8 F (0.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
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Generic1139 // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Mineral County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.6 F (0.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.5 F (1.6 F above century average)
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Coal town guy // Wikimedia Commons

#45. McDowell County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #27 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.4 F (0.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.2 F (1.7 F above century average)
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jpmueller99 from Shenandoah Valley of VA, USA // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Pocahontas County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 58.5 F (1.1 F above century average)
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Famartin // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Fayette County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #27 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.2 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.9 F (1.6 F above century average)
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Jimmy Emerson, DVM // Flickr

#42. Tyler County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.7 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.9 F (0.8 F above century average)
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w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Clay County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.2 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.4 F (1.5 F above century average)
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O Palsson // Flickr

#40. Kanawha County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #26 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.3 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.9 F (1.4 F above century average)
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Canva

#39. Mingo County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #25 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.4 F (0.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.5 F (2.1 F above century average)
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w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Webster County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.1 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62 F (1.6 F above century average)
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Famartin // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Grant County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.6 F (1.6 F above century average)
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w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Nicholas County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41 F (0.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.7 F (1.9 F above century average)
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w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Summers County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.2 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
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Taber Andrew Bain // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Greenbrier County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.9 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.1 F (1.7 F above century average)
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Brandon W. Holmes // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Ohio County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.4 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.9 F (1.5 F above century average)
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Jimmy Emerson, DVM // Flickr

#32. Brooke County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.6 F (1.4 F above century average)
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Zverzver // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Monongalia County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.5 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.5 F (1.6 F above century average)
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Richie Diesterheft from Chicago, IL, USA // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Roane County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.7 F (1.4 F above century average)
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Roger B Wise // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Putnam County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.1 F (1.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
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Famartin // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Pendleton County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.8 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.5 F (1.9 F above century average)
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Antony-22 // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Hardy County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.2 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.8 F (1.9 F above century average)
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Famartin // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Hampshire County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.9 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.5 F (2 F above century average)
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Canva

#25. Pleasants County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.2 F (1.2 F above century average)
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w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Calhoun County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.4 F (1.5 F above century average)
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w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Braxton County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.7 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.6 F (1.7 F above century average)
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w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Jackson County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.2 F (1.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67 F (1.9 F above century average)
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w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Lincoln County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.6 F (1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
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w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Marion County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.7 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.8 F (2.1 F above century average)
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Bitmapped // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Monroe County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.7 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.8 F (1.8 F above century average)
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Pubdog // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Morgan County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.5 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
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w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Doddridge County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.7 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.7 F (1.6 F above century average)
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w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Ritchie County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.8 F (1.5 F above century average)
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w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Gilmer County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.3 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.7 F (1.7 F above century average)
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Carol M. Highsmith/Library of Congress // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Cabell County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.7 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.8 F (2 F above century average)
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Canva

#13. Tucker County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 37.5 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.2 F (2.2 F above century average)
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Famartin // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Preston County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.4 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.8 F (2 F above century average)
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w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Wirt County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.8 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Wayne County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.8 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Taylor County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.8 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65 F (2.5 F above century average)
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Canva

#8. Wood County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.4 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.2 F (1.9 F above century average)
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w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Lewis County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.5 F (2.6 F above century average)
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Famartin // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Randolph County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 38.1 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
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w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Upshur County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.1 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.8 F (3 F above century average)
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Upstateherd // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Harrison County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66 F (2.7 F above century average)
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Acroterion // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Berkeley County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.6 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
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Valerius Tygart // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Barbour County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.8 F (3 F above century average)
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Famartin // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Jefferson County

- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.9 F (2.4 F above century average)

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