October Heat Shattered Temperature Records Across The US
https://climate-crisis-247-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/08001015/147465-150x150.jpgThe average temperature in the United States was 59.0°F last month, the second warmest October on record. In some parts of the country, daily temperatures exceeded climate normals by more than 8°F on average.
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In total, 252 counties recorded their warmest Octobers on record last month, representing 10.7% of the U.S. population. A closer look at the data reveals a list of counties struggling with high heat throughout the South and other regions where daily average temperatures shattered prior October records last month.
To determine the places that just had their hottest Octobers on record, Climate Crisis 24/7 reviewed county-level data on average monthly temperatures from the NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information. All counties in the contiguous U.S. were ranked based on the difference in average daily temperature in October 2024 and the prior monthly record average. Only counties where October 2024 ranks as the hottest October on record – going back to 1895 – were included. Only counties with at least 100,000 residents were included.
25. Collin County, TX
- Average temperature, October 2024: 73.2°F (+0.6°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 72.6°F (October 1963)
- Normal October average: 65.7°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: McKinney
24. Stanislaus County, CA
- Average temperature, October 2024: 69.5°F (+0.7°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 68.8°F (October 2015)
- Normal October average: 63.1°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Modesto
23. Merced County, CA
- Average temperature, October 2024: 70.3°F (+0.7°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 69.6°F (October 2015)
- Normal October average: 63.4°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Merced
22. Comal County, TX
- Average temperature, October 2024: 76.2°F (+0.7°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 75.5°F (October 1931)
- Normal October average: 69.1°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: New Braunfels
21. Utah County, UT
- Average temperature, October 2024: 54.3°F (+0.8°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 53.5°F (October 1963)
- Normal October average: 47.1°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Provo
20. Bell County, TX
- Average temperature, October 2024: 75.0°F (+0.8°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 74.2°F (October 1947)
- Normal October average: 67.7°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Belton
19. Kern County, CA
- Average temperature, October 2024: 69.8°F (+0.8°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 69.0°F (October 2003)
- Normal October average: 62.3°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Bakersfield
18. Denton County, TX
- Average temperature, October 2024: 74.0°F (+0.8°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 73.2°F (October 1963)
- Normal October average: 66.3°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Denton
17. Davis County, UT
- Average temperature, October 2024: 57.2°F (+0.8°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 56.4°F (October 1988)
- Normal October average: 49.1°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Farmington
16. Taylor County, TX
- Average temperature, October 2024: 72.3°F (+0.9°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 71.4°F (October 1947)
- Normal October average: 65.0°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Abilene
15. Pinal County, AZ
- Average temperature, October 2024: 77.1°F (+0.9°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 76.2°F (October 2003)
- Normal October average: 69.5°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Florence
14. Wichita County, TX
- Average temperature, October 2024: 73.1°F (+0.9°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 72.2°F (October 1963)
- Normal October average: 64.7°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Wichita Falls
13. Bernalillo County, NM
- Average temperature, October 2024: 60.8°F (+0.9°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 59.9°F (October 1950)
- Normal October average: 53.0°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Albuquerque
12. Potter County, TX
- Average temperature, October 2024: 66.5°F (+0.9°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 65.6°F (October 1963)
- Normal October average: 58.6°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Amarillo
11. Johnson County, TX
- Average temperature, October 2024: 74.2°F (+1.0°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 73.2°F (October 1934)
- Normal October average: 66.9°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Cleburne
10. Parker County, TX
- Average temperature, October 2024: 73.7°F (+1.0°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 72.7°F (October 1963)
- Normal October average: 66.1°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Weatherford
9. Dallas County, TX
- Average temperature, October 2024: 74.1°F (+1.0°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 73.1°F (October 1963)
- Normal October average: 67.1°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Dallas
8. Tarrant County, TX
- Average temperature, October 2024: 74.5°F (+1.1°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 73.4°F (October 1963)
- Normal October average: 67.0°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Fort Worth
7. Weber County, UT
- Average temperature, October 2024: 54.1°F (+1.1°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 53.0°F (October 2015)
- Normal October average: 46.1°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Ogden
6. Salt Lake County, UT
- Average temperature, October 2024: 56.8°F (+1.2°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 55.6°F (October 1988)
- Normal October average: 48.8°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Salt Lake City
5. Doña Ana County, NM
- Average temperature, October 2024: 68.5°F (+1.3°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 67.2°F (October 2016)
- Normal October average: 61.1°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Las Cruces
4. Mesa County, CO
- Average temperature, October 2024: 55.4°F (+1.6°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 53.8°F (October 1950)
- Normal October average: 47.4°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Grand Junction
3. El Paso County, TX
- Average temperature, October 2024: 71.5°F (+2.1°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 69.4°F (October 2016)
- Normal October average: 63.3°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: El Paso
2. Randall County, TX
- Average temperature, October 2024: 66.4°F (+2.3°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 64.1°F (October 1963)
- Normal October average: 58.1°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Canyon
1. Lubbock County, TX
- Average temperature, October 2024: 69.2°F (+2.6°F above prior record)
- Prior October record: 66.6°F (October 2016)
- Normal October average: 60.4°F (1901-2000)
- County seat: Lubbock
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