USA Today has calculated how global warming will impact temperatures in the next two decades for every county in the U.S.
The results show certain parts of the country experiencing a significant increase in the number of days where temperatures exceed 90°F, while other parts have only a moderate number of additional days. The one constant: very few areas will be immune to hotter temperatures.
As scientists from the Climate Impact Lab (which conducted the analysis) state, cooler regions will experience significant increases in average annual temperatures, while hotter regions will see the largest increases.
Across the Commonwealth, the average change in temperature will be an increase of 2.36°F with an average of 10.4 more days above 90°F. The data studied is on a county level, and you can check your specific county in the attached document.
Frederick County will see the highest change in temperature at 2.54°F (11 days), while Accomack County will see a 2.12°F change and only one more day of temperatures above 90°F
Here are the counties that can expect to see the greatest and fewest number of additional hot days:
County | Change in Temperature | Change in Days Above 90° F |
Accomack | Moderate (2.12°F) | May have 1 more day |
Alleghany | Moderate (2.41°F) | May have 1 more day |
Bland | Moderate (2.42°F) | May have 1 more day |
Charlotte | Moderate (2.38°F) | May have 17 more days |
Cumberland | Moderate (2.4°F) | May have 17 more days |
Danville | Moderate (2.36°F) | May have 18 more days |
Highland | Moderate (2.5°F) | May have 1 more day |
Northampton | Moderate (2.14°F) | May have 0 more days |
Nottoway | Moderate (2.39°F) | May have 17 more days |
Pittsylvania | Moderate (2.37°F) | May have 18 more days |
Prince Edward | Moderate (2.41°F) | May have 17 more days |
Smythe | Moderate (2.31°F) | May have 1 more day |
Wythe | Moderate (2.32°F) | May have 1 more day |
What Will This Mean For Me
According to Climate.gov, given the tremendous size and heat capacity of global oceans, it takes a massive amount of added heat energy to raise the planet's average yearly surface temperature even a small amount. Globally, we have seen a roughly 2-degree Fahrenheit increase in global average surface temperature since the pre-industrial era (1850-1900 in NOAA's record). This might seem small, but it means a significant increase in accumulated heat.
This extra heat is driving seasonal temperature extremes, reducing snow cover and sea ice, intensifying heavy rainfall, and changing habitat ranges for plants and animals—expanding some and shrinking others. Most land areas have warmed faster than ocean areas, and the Arctic is warming faster than other regions. In addition, the rate of warming over the past few decades is much faster than the average rate since the start of the 20th century.
The Earth has an energy budget—how much sunlight Earth absorbs minus how much it radiates to space as heat. When the incoming and outgoing energy fluxes are in balance, the Earth is in radiative equilibrium, and the climate system is relatively stable. Global warming happens when the Earth receives more energy than it gives back to space, and global cooling takes place when the outgoing energy is greater.
According to NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information, every month of 2023 ranked among the 7 warmest for that month, and the months in the second half of the year (June-December) were each their hottest on record. In July, August, and September, global temperatures were more than 1.8°F above the long-term average—the first time in NOAA's record any month has breached that threshold. 2024 is shaping up to surpass 2023 in setting high temperature records.
So homeowners can expect to face higher electric bills, more flooding, stronger storms, and larger hail, along with higher insurance costs. Here are some steps you can take now to help reduce some of these costs:
Seal attic and crawl spaces
Make sure your roof is in good condition (replace loose shingles) and schedule regular roof inspections
Keep gutters clean
Install smart thermostats
Remove overhanging tree limbs
Purchase hail blankets for cars, outdoor furniture, grills, etc.
Keep siding and trim in good condition
Make sure downspouts and surface water are directed away from your foundation
Have your heating and cooling systems serviced annually
Get flood insurance
Consider installing French drains, a sump pump and an ejector pump if needed
Repoint brick foundations to keep water seepage from happening
Lobby for floodable green spaces in your neighborhoods (like parks or marshlands)
Raise HVAC systems further off the ground
Sources: USA Today, Climate.gov, Wikipedia, NY Times, Forbes
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