Counties in Missouri with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
Counties in Missouri 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.
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 Missouri 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.
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#50. Howard County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #18 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 44 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 66.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
Americasroof // Wikimedia Commons
#49. Washington County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #18 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 43.3 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.4 F (2.1 F above century average)
Davekeiser // Wikimedia Commons
#48. Gasconade County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #18 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 43.8 F (1.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68 F (2.1 F above century average)
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#47. Franklin County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #18 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 43.7 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.3 F (2.2 F above century average)
Kclibrarian // Wikimedia Commons
#46. Stone County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #15 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.7 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.2 F (2.2 F above century average)
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons
#45. Pemiscot County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #16 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 50 F (1.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 71.6 F (1.8 F above century average)
Nja1985, retouched by Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#44. Johnson County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #19 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 44.3 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
Sector001 // Wikimedia Commons
#43. Morgan County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #19 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 44.3 F (1.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68 F (2.1 F above century average)
Semipaw // Wikimedia Commons
#42. Christian County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #14 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 44.8 F (1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 69.4 F (2.5 F above century average)
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#41. St. Louis City
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #16 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46.4 F (1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68 F (2.3 F above century average)
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#40. Clay County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #20 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 43.7 F (1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 66.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
Allegrorondo // Wikimedia Commons
#39. Warren County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #20 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 43.9 F (1.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.2 F (2.3 F above century average)
Pixabay
#38. Boone County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #16 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 44.7 F (1.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 66.9 F (2.3 F above century average)
Paul Sableman // Wikimedia Commons
#37. Cooper County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #18 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 44.4 F (1.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
thomas carr // Shutterstock
#36. Webster County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #15 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 44.4 F (1.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
Rob Neville Photos // Shutterstock
#35. St. Charles County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #16 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.1 F (1.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.9 F (2.4 F above century average)
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#34. Dallas County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #13 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45 F (1.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 69 F (2.4 F above century average)
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#33. St. Louis County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #15 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46 F (1.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68 F (2.4 F above century average)
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#32. Hickory County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #13 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.5 F (1.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.8 F (2 F above century average)
TommyBrison // Shutterstock
#31. Platte County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #18 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 43.9 F (1.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67 F (2.7 F above century average)
Jon Kraft // Shutterstock
#30. Jackson County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #19 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 44.6 F (1.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67 F (2.5 F above century average)
~ (The Rebel At) ~ // Wikimedia Commons
#29. Moniteau County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #16 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.3 F (1.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.6 F (2.1 F above century average)
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#28. Wright County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #14 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 44.8 F (1.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.5 F (2.3 F above century average)
Canva
#27. Jefferson County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #13 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.3 F (1.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.8 F (2.6 F above century average)
Vsmith // Wikimedia Commons
#26. Douglas County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #15 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.1 F (1.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 69.5 F (2.6 F above century average)
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#25. Lawrence County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #13 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46.2 F (1.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 69.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#24. Barry County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #12 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46.7 F (1.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 69.9 F (2.2 F above century average)
Onegentlemanofverona // Wikimedia Commons
#23. Callaway County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #13 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 44.8 F (1.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.5 F (2.6 F above century average)
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#22. Cass County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #16 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45 F (1.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.5 F (2.5 F above century average)
Patrick Jennings // Shutterstock
#21. Osage County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #13 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.2 F (1.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.6 F (2.4 F above century average)
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Phelps County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #12 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.1 F (2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 69 F (1.9 F above century average)
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#19. Maries County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #12 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
Jose Kevo // Wikicommons
#18. Greene County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #13 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.3 F (1.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 69.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#17. Dade County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #10 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46.3 F (1.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
Lilith Munck // Shutterstock
#16. Taney County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #12 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.6 F (0.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 71.5 F (3.2 F above century average)
Peek Creative Collective // Shutterstock
#15. Jasper County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #10 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47.2 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Texas County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #11 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.8 F (2.1 F above century average)
Katherine Dowler // Wikimedia
#13. Cole County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #13 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46 F (1.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
M. Curtis // Shutterstock
#12. Laclede County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #11 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.3 F (1.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 69.1 F (2.5 F above century average)
Bungaloid // Wikimedia Commons
#11. Cedar County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #10 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46.5 F (1.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
christopher friese // Wikimedia Commons
#10. Shannon County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.3 F (2.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 69.6 F (1.8 F above century average)
Jatpainter1 // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Polk County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #9 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.6 F (1.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 69.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Ozark County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #9 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46 F (1.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
Lisa Fitzthum Photography // Shutterstock
#7. Camden County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #9 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.6 F (1.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 69.8 F (2.9 F above century average)
JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons
#6. McDonald County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47.5 F (1.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 71.5 F (2.9 F above century average)
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Miller County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 69.4 F (2.8 F above century average)
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#4. Newton County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47.6 F (1.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 71.1 F (3.2 F above century average)
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Pulaski County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.7 F (2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70 F (2.9 F above century average)
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Oregon County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46.5 F (2.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 71.1 F (2.6 F above century average)
Kbh3rd // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Howell County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.5 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #5 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46.4 F (2.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.5 F (3.1 F above century average)
