GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — 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 North Carolina 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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David Byron Keener // Shutterstock
#50. Beaufort County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52.9 F (2.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 73.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
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ncwetlands.org// Wikimedia Commons
#49. Bladen County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 75.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
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Bud Davis, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers // Wikimedia Commons
#48. Pamlico County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 54.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 73.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
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iofoto // Shutterstock
#47. Brunswick County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 54.5 F (3.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 75.1 F (1.6 F above century average)
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Bryan Pollard // Shutterstock
#46. Orange County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 48.5 F (2.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 72.2 F (2.5 F above century average)
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Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States // Wikimedia Commons
#45. Warren County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 48.6 F (2.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 71.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
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Donald Lee Pardue // Wikimedia Commons
#44. Randolph County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #3 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 50.1 F (2.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 72.2 F (2.1 F above century average)
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BrendaByrneGreene // Wikimedia Commons
#43. Nash County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 49.2 F (2.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 73.3 F (2.5 F above century average)
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KAD Photo // Shutterstock
#42. Chatham County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 50 F (2.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 73 F (2.1 F above century average)
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Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons
#41. Wilson County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 50.6 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 73.9 F (2.6 F above century average)
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Beckycafferylepage // Wikimedia Commons
#40. Union County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 50.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 74.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
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Indy beetle // Wikimedia Commons
#39. Harnett County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 51.3 F (2.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 74.1 F (2 F above century average)
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HarmonyReignPope // Wikimedia Commons
#38. Tyrrell County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 53.6 F (2.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 72.6 F (2.1 F above century average)
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Tradewinds // Wikimedia Commons
#37. Jones County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52 F (2.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 74.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
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G Keith Hall // Wikimedia Commons
#36. Surry County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 69.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#35. Forsyth County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 48.6 F (3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.5 F (1.9 F above century average)
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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
#34. Person County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47.4 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 71.7 F (2.8 F above century average)
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KimWrenn // Wikimedia Commons
#33. Vance County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 48.4 F (2.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 71.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
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AlexiusHoratius // Wikimedia Commons
#32. Rowan County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #3 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 49.4 F (3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 72.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
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Thomas T. Waterman, Photographer // Wikimedia Commons
#31. Camden County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 51.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 71.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
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Bz3rk // Wikimedia Commons
#30. Wake County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 50.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 73.3 F (2.4 F above century average)
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aceshot1 // Shutterstock
#29. Currituck County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 53 F (2.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
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Upstateherd // Wikimedia Commons
#28. Lee County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 50.8 F (3.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 73.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
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Bethbrownebooks // Wikimedia Commons
#27. Chowan County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 72.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
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Upstateherd // Wikimedia Commons
#26. Anson County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 51.9 F (2.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 74.6 F (2.1 F above century average)
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Canva
#25. Cumberland County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52.3 F (2.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 75.1 F (2.3 F above century average)
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Canva
#24. Craven County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 74.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
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Anya Douglas // Shutterstock
#23. Onslow County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 53.3 F (2.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 75 F (2.3 F above century average)
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Ceh2624 // Wikimedia Commons
#22. Davie County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 48.5 F (3.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 71.4 F (2.1 F above century average)
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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons
#21. Franklin County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 49 F (2.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 72.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
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Washuotaku // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Lincoln County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 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: 72.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
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Canva
#19. Pasquotank County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 51.8 F (2.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 72.1 F (2.5 F above century average)
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Susan C. Griffin // Wikimedia Commons
#18. Perquimans County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 51.7 F (2.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 72.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
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Ymblanter // Wikimedia Commons
#17. Washington County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 73.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
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Indy beetle // Wikimedia Commons
#16. Pender County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 53.4 F (3.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 75.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
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Canva
#15. Carteret County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 55.6 F (2.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 74.3 F (2.6 F above century average)
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Wasrts // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Yadkin County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47.6 F (3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
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EbonyEaton // Wikimedia Commons
#13. Granville County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 48.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 72 F (2.6 F above century average)
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#12. Durham County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #3 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 48.9 F (2.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 73.1 F (2.8 F above century average)
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PHHI // Wikimedia Commons
#11. Cabarrus County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #3 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 50.7 F (3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 73.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
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Kenneth C. Zirkel // Wikimedia Commons
#10. Stanly County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #3 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 51.4 F (3.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 73.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
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Katangais // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Robeson County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52.9 F (3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 75.9 F (2.4 F above century average)
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Upstateherd // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Gaston County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 61.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 49.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 73.7 F (3.3 F above century average)
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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons
#7. Richmond County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #6 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 74.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
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digidreamgrafix // Shutterstock
#6. Mecklenburg County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #4 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 50.6 F (2.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 74 F (3.2 F above century average)
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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Montgomery County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #4 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 51.7 F (3.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 73.9 F (2.3 F above century average)
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PatGallery // Shutterstock
#4. New Hanover County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 65.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #3 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 54.9 F (3.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 75.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
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KAD Photo // Shutterstock
#3. Moore County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 62.9 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 51.7 F (3.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 74.1 F (2.4 F above century average)
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CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Hoke County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 63.7 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52.2 F (3.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 75.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Scotland County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 64.1 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 52.6 F (3.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 75.7 F (2.8 F above century average)
