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’ Almanacâ„¢, 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, NEVADA–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.
Peter Geiger
Peter Geiger is the Editor Emeritus of the Farmers' Almanac. Read his full biography.
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- Peter Geiger#molongui-disabled-link
- Peter Geiger#molongui-disabled-link
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Not sure what sadochist thinks that anyplace who has triple digits all summer long, with maybe lows in the 90’s is a good place to live. Where is Death Valley on this list? It’s dry and plenty warm, in the summer.
Summers in Bakersfield, for example, are HOT, super HOT, so hot that combined with the tasteful cow and factory worker air that it’s hard to breath. (worst air pollution in the country) The winters are dismal, cold without any chance of snow or anything fun besides the chance of death.
San Diego, as horrible as is it sounds, is always sunny. Doesn’t get nearly as cold, never a frost by the coast, with it’s almost year round temp 70 (summers) – 60 (a cold winter day) With the warm Santa Annas maybe getting to 80, low 90’s in the east, for a few days out of the year. It’s a hard life for those who can afford it.
PAYSON AZ,SHHH IT’S A SECRET,FOUR MODERATE SEASONS,BEAUTIFUL PONDERSOSA FORESTS AND CLEAR MOUNTAIN LAKES,LOW COST OF LIVING,NO POLLUTION..
Well, it’s not 2002 anymore so the cities with the best places to live based on weather needs to be updated. I have to now disagree that CA should be in the mix. The economy here is one of the worst and most expensive. No longer a great place to raise a family or have your kids come home. I’d like to see an overall rating with a great town, friendly people, average income and mostly nice weather throughout the year. Any one know? I live in Manhattan Beach, CA. Great town, great weather, but it’s too crowded, too many cars, houses butt up against each other, no yards, expensive and not friendly.
All the top cities are desert cities. I live in albuquerque and it can be 25 degrees but the sun is always shining!!!!!!!! Humidity is the worst, You never feel clean. But i dont know how reno is ahead of Albuquerque it snows like 30-40 inches a year in reno, it snows once or twice if were are lucky in albuquerque
Colorado, Utah, New Mexico have the best weather of all. Denver can be cold, but it seldom lasts long. Just when you’re tired of snow, it warms up and melts away. Summers can be hot, in the city but no humidity, and nights cool down, and escape to the mountains. Where else can you ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon? No place else besides Colorado.
If the method to select these cities was statistical, then you can’t interject the words “best” and “worst” in your criteria. Statistics are objective. “Best” and “worst” are subjective. Some people LOVE cloudy weather. Some people LOVE snow. Some people LOVE cool or cold conditions. Some people LOVE rain. Yes, some people love the opposite too, but you already assume that. The point is that you can’t assume that. BEST for some people is a place that is always cloudy, cool, and maybe drizzly. For others, it is hot and sunny, for some it may be cold and sunny, and for yet others it may be warm and cloudy, maybe with thunderstorms. Everyone is DIFFERENT. Please understand that.
Best weather is in San Jose CA, average temp is 80, with blue skies and low humidity, 15 inches of rain per year ( Dec – Feb). Never rains between May to October, always can plan an outdoor event without worry, no afternoon showers or lightining
Places I have lived:
Arkansas
Colorado
California (southern and northern)
Washington State
Wyoming
Carolina (that is South Carolina)
New York
Toronto
My favorite for weather—hands down are the Carolinas. 4 distinct seasons, seldom extreme (with a possible hurricane), a lot of sunshine, torrential rains from time to time just to keep it interesting, and maybe twice a year a gentle snowfall (or ice storm yuk). Its humid in the summer no doubt, but from a perspective of people, cost of living, history, and the sheer character (or lack of) of the people, its my favorite place. Keep the desert give me K’lina in the Pines.
Central Marin county is very nice but oh so expensive. That’s just north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
If you like being active, I think Colorado is the best state for weather. (I personally prefer a cooler, sunny climate with 4 distinct seasons and zero mugginess) The summers are mild and dry, no bugs, this last one it only reached 90 a couple of days (which I happened to be in San Antonio…110 every day), and my wife and I could bike, hike, play tennis every day. 300 days of sunshine. I look at Pikes Peak every day. Skiing every weekend. So if you like to stay fit, have fun, try CO. If you prefer to swing by Taco Bell at lunch and spend the afternoon in front of the boob tube, then try Vegas, El Paso, Phoenix.