Counties in Colorado with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA // Wikimedia Commons
Counties in Colorado 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 Colorado 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.
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#50. Baca County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #16 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 38.5 F (0.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 71.1 F (3 F above century average)
Maciej Bledowski // Shutterstock
#49. Boulder County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #18 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 32.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 58.6 F (1.6 F above century average)
Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
#48. Douglas County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #15 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 33.9 F (1.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 62.3 F (1.8 F above century average)
Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons
#47. Lincoln County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #19 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 33.6 F (0 F below century average)
– Recent average high: 67.4 F (3.3 F above century average)
Jeffrey Beall // Wikimedia Commons
#46. Las Animas County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #18 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 36.6 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.3 F (2.2 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#45. Kiowa County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #18 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 37.2 F (0.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 69.6 F (3.5 F above century average)
Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
#44. Otero County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #20 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 37.5 F (0.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.6 F (3 F above century average)
Canva
#43. Routt County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 40.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #20 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 27.5 F (1.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 53.2 F (2.3 F above century average)
RandieCraft // Wikimedia Commons
#42. Moffat County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #24 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 30.8 F (1.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 57.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
Jeffrey Beall // Wikimedia Commons
#41. Huerfano County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #16 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 33.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 61.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
Jeffrey Beall // Wikimedia Commons
#40. Washington County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #21 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 34.4 F (0.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 66.7 F (3.5 F above century average)
John Wark // Wikicommons
#39. Pueblo County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #15 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 37.5 F (1.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.8 F (2.3 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#38. Prowers County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #15 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 38.3 F (-0.1 F below century average)
– Recent average high: 71.3 F (3.7 F above century average)
Jeffrey Beall // Wikimedia Commons
#37. Saguache County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 40.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #18 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 25.8 F (1.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 54.8 F (2.5 F above century average)
GSpics // Wikimedia Commons
#36. Garfield County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #21 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 32.2 F (1.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 55.8 F (1.9 F above century average)
Milan Suvajac // Wikimedia Commons
#35. Archuleta County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #16 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 30.5 F (2.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 58.5 F (1.1 F above century average)
Jeffrey Beall // Wikimedia Commons
#34. Elbert County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #17 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 32.6 F (0.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 64.6 F (3 F above century average)
Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
#33. Bent County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #18 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 37.9 F (0.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 71.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
Mountain Mike Johans // Wikimedia Commons
#32. Arapahoe County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #16 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 34.4 F (1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 65.9 F (2.9 F above century average)
Acutemi // Wikimedia Commons
#31. Logan County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #19 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 35 F (0.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 66.8 F (3.8 F above century average)
Jeffrey Beall // Wikimedia Commons
#30. Crowley County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #16 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 35.8 F (0.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70 F (3.4 F above century average)
The Greater Southwestern Exploration Company from Long Beach, California, United States // Wikimedia Commons
#29. Gunnison County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #18 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 26 F (1.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 52.3 F (2.3 F above century average)
Jeffrey Beall // Wikimedia Commons
#28. Conejos County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 41.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #14 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 27.2 F (1.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 55.7 F (2.7 F above century average)
Jeffrey Beall // Wikimedia Commons
#27. Rio Blanco County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #21 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 32.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 57.4 F (1.7 F above century average)
Robert Corby // Wikimedia Commons
#26. El Paso County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #13 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 34.3 F (1.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 64 F (3 F above century average)
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#25. Broomfield County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #15 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 36.9 F (2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 66.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#24. Cheyenne County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #14 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 36.7 F (0.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.6 F (4.2 F above century average)
f11photo // Shutterstock
#23. Denver County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #15 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 37.2 F (2.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 66.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
Jeffrey Beall // Wikimedia Commons
#22. Costilla County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #13 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 28.8 F (2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 57.6 F (2.6 F above century average)
Citycommunications // Wikicommons
#21. Larimer County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #17 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 30.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 56.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
Bdearthco // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Adams County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #13 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 34.9 F (1.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 66.6 F (3.1 F above century average)
Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons
#19. Sedgwick County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #10 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 36.3 F (1.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 66.4 F (3.3 F above century average)
Peter Romero // Wikimedia Commons
#18. Weld County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #15 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 34.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 65.5 F (2.9 F above century average)
Jeffrey Beall // Wikimedia Commons
#17. Yuma County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #15 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 36.6 F (0.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.8 F (3.9 F above century average)
Jeffrey Beall // Wikimedia Commons
#16. Kit Carson County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #12 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 36.3 F (0.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.3 F (4.6 F above century average)
Milan Suvajac // Wikimedia Commons
#15. Alamosa County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #11 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 27.7 F (1.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 60.8 F (3.1 F above century average)
Originalgum // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Delta County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #16 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 34.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 60.5 F (2.9 F above century average)
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#13. La Plata County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #11 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 32.6 F (2.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 59.6 F (2.5 F above century average)
Jeffrey Beall // Wikimedia Commons
#12. Montezuma County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #9 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 36.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 63.9 F (2.7 F above century average)
Jeffrey Beall // Wikimedia Commons
#11. Morgan County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #14 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 34.4 F (1.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 66.9 F (4.1 F above century average)
Jeffrey Beall // Wikimedia Commons
#10. Phillips County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #9 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 35.8 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.4 F (4.2 F above century average)
JERREYE AND ROYKLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons
#9. San Miguel County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #14 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 32.4 F (2.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 59.4 F (2.7 F above century average)
Eleaf // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Mesa County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #15 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 36 F (2.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 60.9 F (2.9 F above century average)
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#7. Mineral County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 38.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #9 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 25.4 F (3.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 51 F (2.5 F above century average)
Acroterion // Wikimedia Commons
#6. Dolores County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #9 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 31.2 F (2.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 58.1 F (3.2 F above century average)
JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons
#5. San Juan County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 36.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #11 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 25 F (3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 47.6 F (3 F above century average)
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#4. Hinsdale County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 37.3 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #9 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 25.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 49.4 F (2.7 F above century average)
Jeffrey Beall from Colorado, USA // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Montrose County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.6 degrees Fahrenheit (3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #15 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 35.5 F (3.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 61.8 F (2.7 F above century average)
Jeffrey Beall // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Rio Grande County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 41.6 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 26.8 F (2.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 56.3 F (3.4 F above century average)
Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Ouray County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 42.8 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #12 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 29.4 F (3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 56.2 F (3.3 F above century average)
