Which ten states are under the clouds most of the year? Are you living in one of them? We have the list!
by Amber KanuckelUpdated: January 28, 2021
Here at the Farmers’ Almanac, we love weather topics of all kinds, and will often explorethe many variedclimates of cities and statesaround North America — foggiest, hottest, rainiest, worst weather, best gardening, to name a few.The following states, listed in order from the most to the fewest days of full sunshine, are the ten cloudiest states in the U.S. Are youliving in one of them?
10. Connecticut. With climactic influences from the Great Lakes, Connecticut sees more than its fair share of cloud cover. In places like Hartford, you’ll only get around 82 fully sunny days per year. Bridgeport fares a little better with 99 sunny days each year.
9. Montana. People call this state “Big Sky Country,” not “Clear Sky Country.” Because the Continental Divide runs through the western end of the state, Montana experiences diverse, unpredictable weather. In some spots, like Kalispell or Missoula, you can expect as little as 70 to 75 cloudless days a year.
8. Ohio. Because Ohio sees both arctic air masses out of Canada and tropical air masses from southern regions, this state’s climate is extremely diverse. The northern half of the state also experiences frequent lake effect snow over the winter. Just south of Lake Erie, you’ll see between 63 and 68 days of sunshine. Central and southern Ohio gets between 72 and 77 clear days per year.
7. Michigan. Many of the cloudiest states share a border with one of the Great Lakes, but Michigan is virtually surrounded by them. As cold winds rush over Lake Superior and Lake Huron during the winter, lots of condensation forms, bringing clouds and tons of lake effect snow. Because of this and other climate factors, no matter where you live in Michigan, you’re only likely to see between 65 and 75 clear days each year.
6. West Virginia. The Allegheny Mountains that stretch along the border between West Virginia and Virginia are responsible for much of the overcast weather in this state. Because the Alleghenies trap moisture flowing into the state from the north and west, most of the state experiences only 60 to 65 clear days per year. One city – Elkins – only gets 48 clear days a year.
5. Oregon. Oregon’s climate is a product of the Pacific Ocean and the state’s many mountain ranges. As ocean air drifts inland, the mountainous terrain forces those moist air masses to rise higher and higher, forming clouds and dumping rain and snow as they go. Because of this, cities like Astoria, Eugene and Portland see between 50 and 75 sunny days each year. Once you get past those mountain ranges, however, the eastern side of Oregon is actually extremely sunny. Eastern cities like Medford and Burns reporting 120 clear days each year.
4. New York. New York has several climate factors that put it high on the list of cloudy states. The Great Lakes contribute, adding a few snow days each year. This state is also on a collision course with cold air masses coming out of the north and west. In addition, New York lies alongside the St. Lawrence Valley storm track. Cities like Binghamton and Buffalo, only see about 52 to 54 days of sunshine each year.
3. Alaska. Many consider Alaska to be the cloudiest state in the nation, but actually, the majority of Alaska gets just as much sun as the Great Plains. The shore along the Gulf of Alaska, however, is an entirely different story. Juneau, for instance, averages just 44 days of sun per year. Farther up the Gulf, cities like Anchorage and Fairbanks get between 60 and 70 clear days per year.
2. Vermont. Lake Champlain, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Green Mountains are just a few of the factors that account for Vermont’s huge number of overcast days. Winds blow storms in from the northwest in the winter and the southwest in the summer. With a highly active climate, Vermont only sees 58 days of full sunshine each year.
1. Washington.Washington State features a climate that is similar to Oregon’s, but even more extreme. Between the effects of the Pacific Ocean, the Cascades and more, cities like Olympia receive 52 days of full sun per year. Seattle fares slightly better with 71 days of full sunshine. Like Oregon, the eastern half of the state sees far more sunshine. Places like Yakima get as much as 109 days of full sun each year.
Amber Kanuckel is a freelance writer from rural Ohio who loves all things outdoors. She specializes in home, garden, environmental, and green living topics.
1. Washington. Washington State features a climate that is similar to Oregon's, but even more extreme. Between the effects of the Pacific Ocean, the Cascades and more, cities like Olympia receive 52 days of full sun per year.
Already, Montana is the oldest state west of the Mississippi, according to median age statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. With half the state's population 40 or older, we're the 9th oldest in the nation, out-grayed only by Florida, Maine, and a few other eastern states.
The most cloudy places are spread around the world, but the fall into two main groups. One group is near the equator, particularly in the maritime continent (Indonesia and the Philippines), including the cloudiest place in the world - Chuuk Lagoon.
The west coast cities of Portland and Seattle top the list of cloudiest large cities in the United States. Overall, ten major American cities have solid overcast for more than 180 days a year.
Nevada is the driest state in the US, receiving about 10.2 inches (241 mm) of rain every year. According to data collected since 1938, Las Vegas receives slightly less than 4.2 inches of rain per year on average.
What state has the best weather? Many cities in southern and central California like San Diego and Santa Barbara have year-round temperatures typically between 60 and 85 degrees and see little rainfall, making California the state with the best weather!
There's a reason why so many people migrate to Arizona and don't fly back for the winter. Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff are all in the top 25 sunniest cities in the US, and Phoenix ranks #1 with an annual sunshine rate of 85.8%.
Yuma, Arizona with only 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain a year, ranks among the driest places to live in the USA. Other mid-sized cities averaging less than ten inches of precipitation a year include Reno Nevada, St George Utah, El Paso Texas, Albuquerque New Mexico, and Yakima Washington.
Florida. The Sunshine State is known for warm weather, so it's not surprising that snowfall is extremely rare. Winters in Florida are usually among the mildest in the U.S. with temperatures averaging between the low 60s and the mid-70s.
Nevada has the lowest humidity. It's no coincidence the state is known for its desert and arid climate. With average relative humidity sitting at 38.3%, Nevada has the lowest relative humidity (when comparing states) in the country. Where is it 70 degrees year-round in the United States?
In winter, North and South Dakota are the driest in the country, but for spring, Arizona and New Mexico see the least rain. In summer, California and Nevada take the lead, then for fall, Nevada and Wyoming top the list.
The No. 1 city with the best weather in the U.S.? Honolulu, Hawaii. Honolulu took the top spot with an average annual temperature of 77.7 degrees. While the city endures an average of 93 rainy days per year, it also averages 90 sunny days and zero days where the temperature dips below freezing.
Where is the most unpredictable weather in the U.S.? The Upper Midwest has the most unpredictable weather in the country, with Rapid City, South Dakota; Great Falls, Montana; and Houghton, Michigan, taking the top spots.
First place goes to San Francisco, with only two days of extreme heat and a low temperature just below freezing at 27 degrees. Second place goes to San Diego, followed by Los Angeles. Both have an average yearly temperature of 60 degrees with sunny days 70% of the year.
Spring, summer, fall and winter all give the people here something to look forward to. Take a stroll through the seasons below and you'll see why North Dakotans eagerly anticipate and welcome each one.
No, North Dakota is just always that cold. In fact, it ranks as the coldest state in the lower 48. July and August are the only months when it hasn't snowed here.
There's a reason why so many people migrate to Arizona and don't fly back for the winter. Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff are all in the top 25 sunniest cities in the US, and Phoenix ranks #1 with an annual sunshine rate of 85.8%.
Introduction: My name is Arline Emard IV, I am a cheerful, gorgeous, colorful, joyous, excited, super, inquisitive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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