Counties in Idaho with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Antony-22 // Wikimedia Commons
Counties in Idaho 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 Idaho 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.
Squelle // Wikimedia Commons
#44. Butte County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 40.8 degrees Fahrenheit (0.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #63 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 27.8 F (-0.3 F below century average)
– Recent average high: 53.7 F (0.7 F above century average)
JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons
#43. Power County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45 degrees Fahrenheit (0.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #63 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 32.6 F (-0.3 F below century average)
– Recent average high: 57.4 F (0.7 F above century average)
John D // Wikimedia Commons
#42. Gem County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.9 degrees Fahrenheit (0.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #56 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 36.8 F (0.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 61 F (0.4 F above century average)
Ken Lund // Wikimedia Commons
#41. Adams County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.4 degrees Fahrenheit (0.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #52 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 32.7 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 54.1 F (-0.1 F below century average)
KRRK // Wikimedia Commons
#40. Bingham County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.2 degrees Fahrenheit (0.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #50 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 31.5 F (0.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 56.8 F (1.3 F above century average)
Charles Knowles // Shutterstock
#39. Ada County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.7 degrees Fahrenheit (0.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #45 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 38.9 F (0.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 64.4 F (1 F above century average)
Tamanoeconomico // Wikimedia Commons
#38. Canyon County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52 degrees Fahrenheit (0.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #42 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 38.5 F (0.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 65.4 F (0.9 F above century average)
Bathlander // Wikimedia Commons
#37. Jefferson County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43 degrees Fahrenheit (0.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #44 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 29 F (0.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 56.9 F (1.5 F above century average)
Tricia Simpson // Wikimedia Commons
#36. Oneida County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.7 degrees Fahrenheit (0.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #48 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 33.9 F (0.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 57.5 F (0.9 F above century average)
Ken Lund // Wikimedia Commons
#35. Minidoka County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46 degrees Fahrenheit (0.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #48 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 32.7 F (0.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 59.4 F (1.2 F above century average)
Karthikc123 // Wikimedia Commons
#34. Twin Falls County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.6 degrees Fahrenheit (0.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #45 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 34.7 F (0 F below century average)
– Recent average high: 60.5 F (1.6 F above century average)
Lowjumpingfrog // Wikimedia Commons
#33. Teton County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 39.5 degrees Fahrenheit (0.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #40 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 27.9 F (0.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 51 F (0.9 F above century average)
Kristen Taylor // Wikimedia Commons
#32. Clark County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 39.9 degrees Fahrenheit (0.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #41 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 27.8 F (0.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 52 F (1.5 F above century average)
Jcarr29 // Wikimedia Commons
#31. Bonneville County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 41.8 degrees Fahrenheit (0.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #43 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 29.7 F (0.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 53.8 F (1.7 F above century average)
Dschwen // Wikimedia Commons
#30. Caribou County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 41.8 degrees Fahrenheit (0.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #42 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 29.7 F (0.3 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 53.8 F (1.5 F above century average)
Aualliso // Wikimedia Commons
#29. Fremont County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 39.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #38 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 27.2 F (0.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 51.8 F (1.3 F above century average)
Greg L. Wright // Wikimedia Commons
#28. Blaine County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 42.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #38 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 29.7 F (0.5 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 54.5 F (1.4 F above century average)
rustejunk // Wikimedia Commons
#27. Lewis County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #32 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 34.7 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 57.1 F (1 F above century average)
Forest Service Northern Region from Missoula, MT, USA // Wikimedia Commons
#26. Idaho County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 42 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #36 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 29.8 F (0.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 54 F (1.5 F above century average)
PdxCobra // Wikimedia Commons
#25. Boise County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #33 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 31.6 F (0.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 56 F (1.7 F above century average)
Michlaovic // Wikimedia
#24. Bannock County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 45.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #34 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 33.3 F (0.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 56.9 F (1.5 F above century average)
Tom Young // Wikimedia Commons
#23. Lincoln County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #41 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 33.1 F (0.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 59.5 F (2 F above century average)
United States Department of Agriculture // Wikimedia Commons
#22. Owyhee County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #33 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 34.7 F (0.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 61 F (1.4 F above century average)
Sam Beebe // Wikimedia Commons
#21. Washington County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #37 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 37.4 F (1.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 59.2 F (0.8 F above century average)
Ken Lund // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Madison County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 42.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #33 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 30.8 F (1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 54.5 F (1.4 F above century average)
Jon Roanhaus // Wikimedia Commons
#19. Clearwater County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #34 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 33.5 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 55 F (1.4 F above century average)
wilson44691 // Wikimedia Commons
#18. Cassia County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #35 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 34.1 F (0.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 58.4 F (1.6 F above century average)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#17. Jerome County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 48.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #35 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 36 F (0.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 61.4 F (1.6 F above century average)
Dsdugan // Wikimedia Commons
#16. Nez Perce County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #30 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 37.8 F (1.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 60.6 F (1 F above century average)
Karthikc123 // Wikimedia Commons
#15. Valley County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 39.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #31 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 26.4 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 52.7 F (1.5 F above century average)
Tricia Simpson // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Bear Lake County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 40.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #36 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 27.4 F (0.4 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 53.6 F (2.2 F above century average)
Ian Poellet // Wikimedia Commons
#13. Payette County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #29 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 39.1 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 64.3 F (1.4 F above century average)
tinosa // Wikimedia Commons
#12. Custer County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 38.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #28 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 25.7 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 51.3 F (1.8 F above century average)
jfergusonphotos // Shutterstock
#11. Shoshone County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 43.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #28 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 33.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 52.6 F (1.1 F above century average)
Apstrinka // Wikimedia Commons
#10. Latah County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #26 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 35.4 F (1.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 58.1 F (1.2 F above century average)
John Stanton // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Lemhi County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 39.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #30 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 27.9 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 51.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
L’Aquatique // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Bonner County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #23 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 34.4 F (1.6 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 53.7 F (1.4 F above century average)
Ken Lund // Wikimedia Commons
#7. Franklin County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 44.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #27 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 32.2 F (0.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 56.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
Federal Highway Administration // Wikimedia Commons
#6. Boundary County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 41.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #29 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 33 F (1.8 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 50.4 F (1.4 F above century average)
Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Elmore County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 47.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #20 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 35.1 F (1.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 60.1 F (2.2 F above century average)
NPS photo // Wikimedia Commons
#4. Gooding County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #26 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 36.5 F (1.2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 61.6 F (2 F above century average)
Ian Poellet // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Benewah County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #20 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 35.8 F (2 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 57.1 F (1.5 F above century average)
Cornellrockey04 // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Camas County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 42.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #19 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 30.6 F (1.7 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 53.8 F (2.4 F above century average)
Antony-22 // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Kootenai County
– Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 46.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
– #15 warmest year since 1895
– Recent average low: 36.8 F (2.1 F above century average)
– Recent average high: 56.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
