United States Weather

United States climate

The United States spans an extraordinary range of climate zones, from the arctic tundra of Alaska to the tropical warmth of Hawaii and southern Florida. The contiguous 48 states experience everything from arid deserts in the Southwest to humid subtropical conditions in the Southeast, with the Great Plains serving as a battleground for some of the most dramatic severe weather on Earth, including tornadoes, supercell thunderstorms, and derechos.

The Rocky Mountains divide the country into distinct western and eastern weather patterns. Pacific storms bring heavy rain and snow to the West Coast and mountain ranges, while the Gulf of Mexico feeds moisture into the central and eastern states. The jet stream's position dictates much of the seasonal weather variability, bringing bitter cold Arctic outbreaks in winter and prolonged heat waves in summer.

Major cities experience vastly different climates: New York and Chicago endure harsh winters and hot summers, Los Angeles enjoys a Mediterranean climate with year-round mild temperatures, Miami stays warm and humid with a pronounced hurricane season from June through November, and Seattle is known for its persistent cloud cover and drizzle from fall through spring.