Hilo, Hawaii

by Peter Geiger | Tuesday, March 10th, 2009 | From: Farmers' Almanac Blog

Every list has it’s share of controversy. Whether it is the Best Movies of all time or best actor or actresses, etc., there is a list for everything and arguments about why this or that did usually ensue. This has been the case with our Best and Worst Weather cites. As soon as we unveiled the list, the people in Buffalo were thrilled that Syracuse was on the list at #5 (they were not). I then got a call form a reporter in Syracuse protesting that they weren’t higher on the list. Folks in San Francisco were more than miffed that they were omitted from our top ten best cities…… maybe they were jealous of San Diego that landed at #10.

The big surprise on the Worst Weather cities was the inclusion of Hilo, Hawaii. This is what we said at the time:

Hawaii is usually assumed to be a paradise, with sun-filled skies and perfect weather year-round. But this is not necessarily the case with Hilo. Hilo is the #1 among all US cities in terms of average annual precipitation, with a whopping 128 inches. In fact, the wettest part of Hawaii (over 200 inches) is only about 6 miles up slope from the city limits. Hilo is also ranks number one in terms of the number of rainy days with 277. So there is at least a 75% chance that on any given day in Hilo, some rain will fall.

OK – that’s what we said about Hilo which ranked #10. It is one thing to read stats and another to hear from a personal experience. Here is a message from a recent visitor to the Big Island.

“I was just in Hilo and I think it should be closer to number one worst weather cities in the world! While I was there from Friday March 6th at 4pm it started to rain…it didn’t stop once until 58 hours later. It went from drizzle rain to pouring rain and no breaks or stopping even for a second. Ended up with something like 14 to 16 inches. A friend said it Hilo is known as the armpit of Hawaii and now I know it is true! What a hole…why would anyone want/choose to live/go there? I’ll never go back…a total waste of my vacation.“

There has to be some good things to say about Hilo. So, here is a link to their website http://www.gohawaii.com/big_island/learn/hilo. If you have a favorite weather city or just want to vent about another local, I would love to hear from you and your experience.

Peter Geiger is the Editor of the Farmers' Almanac. Read his full biography here.

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Farmers' Almanac Long Range Weather

February 8th - February 11th

United States

Canada

Northeast U.S.
Wet snow mixed with rain Mid-Atlantic north through New England; slushy accumulations of 4+" possible.
Midwest/Great Lakes U.S.
Accumulating snows Kentucky, Ohio, then clearing. Fair elsewhere.
Southeast U.S.
Wet snow Tennessee, western North Carolina; wintry mix northern Mississippi, Alabama. Elsewhere, rain, then clearing.
North Central U.S.
Drier, much colder.
South Central U.S.
Snow parts of Arkansas, then clearing, cold. Clear, much colder elsewhere.
Northwest U.S.
Drier, but colder.
Southwest U.S.
Drier, but noticeably colder.