The 10 Best Weather Cities
We all enjoy reading lists of the best and the worst of almost everything. From time to time I’m asked what are the best cities for weather and what do we consider the worst. I’ve even been asked to select a location for someone who’s trying to relocate from a part of the country they dislike.
In the 2002 Farmers’ Almanac™, we addressed this very issue. Keeping in mind that any list is highly subjective, the factors we considered included temperatures, sky conditions, precipitation, humidity and wind. Working on the assumption that heat is a good thing and rain, sleet and snow is bad, let me present our list of the 10 Best Weather Cities in the USA.
1. YUMA, ARIZONA—number one on our list because average precipitation is 2.65 inches, 17 rainy days per year, and number one for sunshine with 90%. It is third among the least humid cities, with an average relative humidity of just 38%. The drawback–—summer temperatures average at least 100º F from June 4 to September 24, and 105ºF from June 22 to August 26. But, hey, it’s dry heat!
2. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA—comes in second to Yuma in terms of annual precipitation at 4.19 inches, least number of rainy days per year (26), and sunshine 85% of the time.
3. PHOENIX, ARIZONA—tied with Las Vegas for number two in terms of possible annual sunshine (85%). It also has the lowest relative humidity at 37% and rated fifth overall in terms of the least annual precipitation with 7.11 inches and eighth for the least number or rainy days (36).
4. EL PASO, TEXAS—boasts abundant sunshine, very low relative humidity, scanty rainfall and relatively mild winters.
5. RENO, REVADA—abundant sunshine throughout the year. Here the daily range of temperatures often exceeds 45ºF. While afternoon temperatures may be above 90ºF, a light wrap is often needed after sunset. Rain occurs chiefly in the form of afternoon summer thunderstorms, but the humidity is very low during summer and moderately low during the winter.
6. ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO—has an arid climate with abundant sunshine, low humidity, scant precipitation, a and wide, yet tolerable, seasonal range of temperatures.
7. WINSLOW, ARIZONA—is the seventh least humid city (46%) and eighth driest with annual precipitation totaling only 7.64 inches.
8 & 9. BISHOP and BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA—both make it onto the list because they ranked respectively as the third and fourth driest cities overall. Bishop has 29 rainy days and Bakersfield has only 37 during the year.
10. SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA—during the spring and summer typically sees low marine clouds at night and early morning but they burn off as the day warms. The storm track from the Pacific usually lies well to the north keeping most of the clouds and precipitation out of the region. With the exception of the Santa Ana winds blowing during September and October, temperatures are quite comfortable.
So there you have it. Based upon sunshine, heat, low humidity and the other criteria, this was our selection of the best weather cities in the United States as reported in the 2002 Farmers’ Almanac.
Stay tuned tomorrow for our list of the 10 Worst Weather Cities and plans for compiling a new list.
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I am looking for a city where it is warm but not hot in the summer, warm summer nights and mostly CLOUDY. Cool winters are alright. Any ideas???
Cindy:
You have asked a great question. Our Best Cities list is based on sunshine and heat. So, what if you like “cooler and cloudy” conditions. Well, for a start lets eliminate the Southeast and Southwest. Let’s also toss out Texas where some summers you get 100 days of 100 degree heat. Summers are just too hot and humid.
I live in Maine and have only used my air conditioner 4 times this summer. For most people the Great Lakes and Northern New England are too harsh in the winters to compensate for summer.
I woud probably consider, the Northwest, Colorado, Wisconsin and most of New England. But even the Mid-Atlantic states are hot and sticky during the summer.
If other would like to weigh in on the three Cs - cooler, cloudy and comfortable - let’s help Cindy.
Hello,, loved this,,, I live in Houston, and yes 3 months is very hot, and then you have a stunning fall, winter and spring, with changes of temps and nothing too horrid one way or another,,
It is nice to have some winter, and be able to play outside!!
I work outside all year long here, and it is worth a look,,,,,
i need a US city with a large population but little humidity. i want a city also along a beach and an avg temp of 65-75F. i dont really care how much it rains… just around 100 days per year. if you could help me out, it would be awesome!
Mike,
Consider San Francisco for your needs, temperature is in your range basically year round, rains consistently for about 45 days out of 90 in the winter, has beaches but not as warm as southern california beaches