US Climate and Weather: Regional Guide

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United States Climate Guide

Climate and Weather in the United States

Regional climates, hurricane season, and smart travel timing—explained clearly.

At a glance

East & Mid-Atlantic: 4 seasons, humid summers, icy winters north of DC.

Southeast & Gulf: subtropical; muggy summers, mild winters, hurricanes Jun–Nov.

Florida: Wet season May–Oct, dry & sunny Nov–Apr; hurricane exposure on both coasts.

Midwest & Great Plains: Hot summers, frigid/snowy winters; spring is peak for severe storms & tornadoes.

Mountain West & Rockies: Big altitude swings; dry, sunny, cold winters with heavy mountain snow.

Southwest deserts: Very dry; extreme summer heat, late-summer monsoon thunderstorms.

West Coast: Mediterranean flavor—wet/cool winters, dry summers; fall can bring wildfire smoke.

Pacific Northwest: Mild, cloudy winters; dry, pleasant summers.

Alaska & Hawaii: Alaska = subarctic/maritime; Hawaii = tropical with windward/rainy vs leeward/sunny microclimates; Central Pacific hurricane season Jun–Nov.

What shapes U.S. weather?

  • Latitude & oceans: Cold Canada vs. warm Gulf & Atlantic set up sharp contrasts.
  • Mountains: Rockies/Sierra block moisture, creating rain shadows (deserts) and huge snow belts.
  • Jet stream: High-altitude winds steer storms; waviness brings cold snaps or heat waves.
  • El Niño/La Niña (ENSO): Pacific cycles tilt odds toward wetter/drier or warmer/cooler seasons in different regions.
  • Southwest Monsoon: Summer pattern that shifts winds to pull in moisture and spark daily thunderstorms.

Regional climates (practical notes)

Northeast & New England — Boston, NYC, Philadelphia

Winters: cold, frequent snow/ice north of NYC. Springs: variable; late Nor’easters possible. Summers: warm-humid with thunderstorms. Fall: cool, dry, peak foliage late Sep–Oct (north to south).

Best times: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Pack: layers, rain shell, winter gear Dec–Mar.

Mid-Atlantic — DC, Baltimore, Virginia

Long, humid summers; mild winters with occasional snow/ice. Coastal areas can see tropical remnants late summer–fall.

Best times: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Hazards: flash flooding in heavy downpours.

Southeast & Gulf Coast — Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana

Subtropical. Summers are hot/muggy with daily storms; winters are short and mild. Hurricane risk rises late summer–autumn.

Best times: Mar–May & Oct–Nov (lower humidity, fewer mosquitoes).

Florida — Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Panhandle

Dry season: Nov–Apr (sunny, comfortable). Wet season: May–Oct (steamy, daily downpours). Peak hurricanes usually Aug–Oct.

Best times: Dec–Apr for theme parks & beaches; shoulder months May & Nov are value picks.

Midwest — Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis

Large seasonal swings: hot summers; cold, snowy winters. Spring brings potent thunderstorms; late Apr–Jun is most active.

Best times: May–Jun & Sep–Oct for mild temps; winter lovers: Dec–Feb (snow sports).

Great Plains & Tornado Alley — Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, N. Texas

Dry, sunny overall. Apr–Jun is peak for severe storms & tornadoes; secondary fall season possible. Winters are windy and can be sharply cold.

Best times: Sep–Oct for calmer weather; spring trips: monitor forecasts closely.

Rockies & Intermountain West — Denver, Salt Lake City, Bozeman

Altitude rules: strong sun, fast-changing temps. Nov–Apr brings mountain snow; valleys can be dry and cold.

Best times: Jun–Sep (hiking) and Dec–Mar (skiing). Hazards: early/late-season snow, dry-air wildfire smoke intrusions.

Southwest Deserts — Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas

Very hot summers (June often extreme). The North American Monsoon brings late-day thunderstorms, lightning, and localized flooding typically Jul–Sep. Winters are mild to warm.

Best times: Oct–Apr; if visiting in summer, plan for early-morning outdoor time.

West Coast — SoCal, Bay Area

Mediterranean: wet winters, dry summers. Marine layer can keep coastal mornings cool and gray early summer; inland heats up. Late summer–fall can bring wildfire smoke.

Best times: May–Jun (SoCal), Sep–Oct (most of CA). Pack: light layers—big day-night swings.

Pacific Northwest — Seattle, Portland

Mild, wet winters; gorgeous, dry summers. Snow is mainly in the Cascades; cities see more rain/drizzle than big snow.

Best times: Jul–Sep. Winter visits: pack waterproofs.

Alaska — Anchorage, Denali, Southeast

Short, bright summers; long, dark winters. Southeast (Juneau) is wetter/milder; interior can be very cold in winter, warm in summer with mosquitoes.

Best times: Jun–Aug; shoulder seasons have fewer crowds but variable weather.

Hawaii — O‘ahu, Maui, Hawai‘i Island, Kaua‘i

Tropical trade-wind climate with microclimates. Windward slopes: greener/rainier; leeward: sunnier/drier. Hurricane risk exists but is lower than the Atlantic/Gulf.

Best times: Apr–Jun & Sep–Nov. Winter has bigger surf (and more showers).

Hurricane season in the U.S.

• Atlantic Basin (affects East Coast, Florida, Gulf): June 1 – November 30. Peak activity: mid-Aug to mid-Oct.

• Eastern Pacific (Mexico to 140°W): May 15 – November 30.

• Central Pacific (Hawai‘i, 140°W–IDL): June 1 – November 30.

Dates above are official season windows (as of Nov 10, 2025); storms can rarely occur outside these periods.

Practical takeaways

  • Peak risk: Aug–Oct for Atlantic/Gulf/Florida; Aug–Sep can bring Eastern/Central Pacific impacts.
  • Trip planning: buy cancel-for-any-reason insurance; book flexible rates; monitor forecasts 5–7 days out.
  • On the coast? Know your evacuation zone and have a go-bag ready in peak months.

Beyond hurricanes: other seasonal hazards

  • Tornadoes & severe storms (Plains/Midwest/South): most common Apr–Jun; a secondary season can occur in fall.
  • Wildfire season (West): typically peaks late summer–fall when fuels are driest and offshore winds can strengthen.
  • Winter storms (North & Interior West): heavy snow/ice and wind chill Dec–Mar; lake-effect snow downwind of the Great Lakes.
  • Southwest Monsoon: daily late-day storms can cause flash floods, lightning, dust storms (haboobs) Jul–Sep.

Best times to visit (quick guide)

Region Comfort Sweet Spot Watch-outs
Northeast / New England May–Jun, Sep–Oct Winter snow/ice; summer humidity
Mid-Atlantic Apr–May, Sep–Oct Late-summer tropical remnants
Southeast & Gulf Oct–Nov, Mar–May Hurricanes Aug–Oct; summer heat index
Florida Dec–Apr Wet/hurricane season May–Oct
Midwest May–Jun, Sep–Oct Spring severe weather; winter cold
Great Plains Sep–Oct Apr–Jun severe storms/tornadoes
Rockies Jun–Sep; Dec–Mar (snow) Altitude, early/late-season snow
Southwest Deserts Oct–Apr Extreme summer heat; monsoon storms
West Coast May–Jun; Sep–Oct Wildfire smoke late summer–fall
Pacific Northwest Jul–Sep Cloudy/rainy winters
Alaska Jun–Aug Rapid weather shifts; insects
Hawai‘i Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov Winter surf/occasional heavy showers

Traveler tips that actually help

  • Layers beat labels: prioritize quick-dry layers, a light insulated mid-layer, and a waterproof shell almost everywhere.
  • Heat-smart in the South/Desert: schedule outdoor time at dawn/dusk, hydrate, and plan indoor siestas 12–4 pm in summer.
  • Hurricane-season plan: book flexible rates, save local emergency numbers offline, and know your evacuation zone before arrival.
  • Wildfire awareness (West): check air-quality apps; bring N95s if sensitive; consider coastal alternatives during peak smoke periods.
  • Mountain rule: weather changes fast; carry warm layers even in July, and mind afternoon lightning above treeline.
Find your regional sweet spot
Severe weather checklist

Rule of thumb: the U.S. is never one climate. Plan for the region & season—not the country.

Quick FAQ

When is U.S. hurricane season?

Atlantic: June 1–Nov 30. Eastern Pacific: May 15–Nov 30. Central Pacific (Hawai‘i): June 1–Nov 30. Peak risk is generally mid-Aug to mid-Oct.

What months are stormiest in Tornado Alley?

Historically April–June are most active; a smaller uptick can occur in Oct–Nov. Always check local forecasts if thunderstorms are in the outlook.

When is the Southwest Monsoon?

Typically builds in June in Mexico, reaches the U.S. Southwest by July, and winds down by early-to-mid September. Expect late-day lightning and localized flash floods.

Sources

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