v256.0 · climate · US · verified 2026-04
United States climate profile
Climate profile for United States — Köppen climate zones, seasonal temperature + rainfall, humidity, extreme weather, climate-change trajectory, air quality, best months for visiting + relocation, water security, and recent climate-policy changes.
Climate classification (Köppen)
Highly varied — Continental (Dfa, Dfb) Northeast/Midwest · Subtropical (Cfa) Southeast · Mediterranean (Csa, Csb) California · Desert (BWh, BSh) Southwest · Tundra (ET) Alaska · Tropical (Af) Hawaii
Temperature + rainfall by season
| Winter temperatures | NYC: 1°C avg (-3 to 5°C) · LA: 14°C (9-19°C, mild) · Chicago: -3°C (-7 to 1°C, frigid) · Miami: 21°C (16-26°C, warm) · Seattle: 5°C (2-9°C, wet) · Denver: 0°C (-7 to 7°C) · Honolulu: 22°C (19-26°C) |
| Summer temperatures | NYC: 24°C avg (19-29°C, humid) · LA: 22°C (17-28°C, dry) · Chicago: 22°C (17-28°C, humid) · Miami: 28°C (25-32°C, very humid, hurricane-prone) · Seattle: 18°C (12-23°C, dry) · Phoenix: 33°C (25-41°C, extreme) · Honolulu: 27°C (23-31°C, trade winds) |
| Annual rainfall | NYC: 1,210 mm · LA: 380 mm · Chicago: 970 mm · Miami: 1,570 mm · Seattle: 950 mm · Denver: 360 mm · Phoenix: 200 mm (desert) · Honolulu: 440 mm · New Orleans: 1,580 mm · Hilo Hawaii: 3,180 mm (wettest US city) |
| Humidity | Northeast 60-80% · Southeast (Miami, NOLA) 75-90% · West coast 60-70% · Desert SW 20-40% · Hawaii 70-80% |
Climate zones within the country
Northeast continental · Southeast subtropical/humid · Midwest continental · Great Plains semi-arid · Mountain West varied · Pacific NW marine · California Mediterranean · Southwest desert · Alaska sub-arctic · Hawaii tropical
Extreme weather + risks
| Extreme weather events | Hurricanes Gulf + Atlantic (Helene + Milton Sept-Oct 2024 devastating Florida/Carolinas, 300+ deaths) · Tornadoes Midwest (May-Jun peak) · Wildfires California/Pacific NW (LA fires Jan 2025, 180K+ acres) · Earthquakes California/Alaska · Polar vortex Midwest/Northeast · Severe blizzards · Drought California/Southwest |
| Air quality | Generally good · LA + SF Bay PM2.5 ~10-15 µg/m³ · Wildfire smoke episodes major (PM2.5 200+ µg/m³ in summer fire seasons) · Salt Lake City + Phoenix winter inversions · Rural areas excellent |
| Water security | Highly variable · Colorado River basin critically stressed (Lake Mead/Powell historic lows) · California groundwater overdrafted · Eastern US generally adequate · Rainfall-fed eastern states secure |
Climate change trajectory
Annual mean +1.6°C since 1900 · Projected +2-5°C by 2100 (regional variation) · Sea-level rise threatening Atlantic + Gulf coasts · Wildfire-season lengthening · Drought severity increasing · Insurance crisis Florida/California
Best months for visiting + relocation
| Best for visiting | Highly regional · Northeast: May-Oct · California: year-round · Florida: Nov-Apr (avoid hurricane Jun-Nov) · Pacific NW: Jul-Sep · Hawaii: year-round |
| Best for relocation | Highly regional — Spring/Fall most temperate; avoid hurricane-season Atlantic + wildfire-season West |
Recent changes (2023-2026)
2024-25: Hurricane Helene + Milton Sept-Oct 2024 · LA wildfires Jan 2025 (180K+ acres, USD 50B+ damage) · Insurance crisis Florida/California (Allstate, State Farm partial exits) · Build Back Better infrastructure investments · Inflation Reduction Act 2022 clean energy boom · Texas grid winter-storm preparation
Source: official United States meteorological agency · Last verified 2026-04
See also: United States country profile · climate atlas