W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

Counties in Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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.

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Carlisle County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #12 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 48.2 F (1.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.3 F (2.1 F above century average)

Rdikeman // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Campbell County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #14 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 44.7 F (1.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 66.4 F (2.2 F above century average)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Pendleton County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #15 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 44.5 F (1.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 66.8 F (2.2 F above century average)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Harrison County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #15 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 44.3 F (1.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.2 F (2.3 F above century average)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Bourbon County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #16 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 44.2 F (1.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.5 F (2.3 F above century average)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Clark County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #16 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 44.8 F (1.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.8 F (2.1 F above century average)

FloNight (Sydney Poore) and Russell Poore // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Madison County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #17 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.9 F (1.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68 F (2 F above century average)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Taylor County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #13 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46 F (2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.6 F (1.9 F above century average)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Adair County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #15 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46.1 F (2.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.9 F (1.6 F above century average)

Huw Williams (Huwmanbeing) // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Grayson County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #11 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.4 F (1.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 69.8 F (2.4 F above century average)

Joel Bradshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Ohio County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #10 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46.2 F (1.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70 F (2.6 F above century average)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#39. McLean County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #10 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.2 F (2.8 F above century average)

Jonathunder // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Ballard County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #11 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 48 F (1.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70 F (2.2 F above century average)

Bfreas // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Simpson County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #10 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47.9 F (2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.4 F (1.7 F above century average)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Boyd County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #12 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 44.5 F (2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.8 F (2 F above century average)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Garrard County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #11 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46.2 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.8 F (2 F above century average)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Hardin County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #11 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.9 F (2.3 F above century average)

Wdzinc // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Marion County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #11 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46 F (2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.4 F (2 F above century average)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Larue County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #10 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.9 F (2.3 F above century average)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Green County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #12 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 69.8 F (2.1 F above century average)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Hart County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #9 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46 F (1.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.2 F (2.4 F above century average)

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Hopkins County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #10 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47.5 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.6 F (2.8 F above century average)

Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons

#28. McCracken County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #9 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 48 F (1.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.4 F (2.5 F above century average)

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Kenton County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #13 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.1 F (2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 66 F (2.2 F above century average)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Boyle County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46 F (2.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.7 F (2.1 F above century average)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Nelson County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #9 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46.1 F (1.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.7 F (2.3 F above century average)

Megangen1990 // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Muhlenberg County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #9 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47.4 F (1.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.8 F (2.9 F above century average)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Grant County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #14 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.1 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 66.7 F (2.3 F above century average)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Trimble County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #12 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.1 F (2.3 F above century average)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Oldham County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #13 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.9 F (2.6 F above century average)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Spencer County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #9 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.7 F (1.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.6 F (2.6 F above century average)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Washington County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.3 F (2.3 F above century average)

Huw Williams (Huwmanbeing) // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Edmonson County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 58.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.8 F (2.6 F above century average)

OPMaster // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Warren County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47.6 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 71.1 F (2.3 F above century average)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Boone County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #12 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 65.9 F (2.3 F above century average)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Scott County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #11 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45 F (2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.6 F (2.7 F above century average)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Henry County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #10 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.6 F (2.6 F above century average)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Owen County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #10 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.3 F (2.5 F above century average)

Smceuen // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Carroll County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #11 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.2 F (2.2 F above century average)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Shelby County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #10 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45 F (1.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68 F (2.8 F above century average)

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#10. Jefferson County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #10 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46.4 F (2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.9 F (2.7 F above century average)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Bullitt County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46.5 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 69 F (2.6 F above century average)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Butler County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 59.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 47.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 70.9 F (2.8 F above century average)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Gallatin County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #10 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.9 F (2.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 66.9 F (2.2 F above century average)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Fayette County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #10 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.1 F (2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 67.8 F (2.7 F above century average)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Franklin County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #10 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.2 F (2.7 F above century average)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Anderson County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #9 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.7 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.3 F (2.7 F above century average)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Jessamine County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #8 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68 F (2.7 F above century average)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Mercer County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #7 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 46 F (2.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.1 F (2.5 F above century average)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Woodford County

– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 57 degrees Fahrenheit (2.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #9 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 45.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 68.2 F (2.9 F above century average)