Climate Zones
The USA spans almost all of the Earth's climate zones — from arctic (Alaska) to tropical (Hawaii, South Florida) to desert (Mojave, Sonoran). This means: Depending on where and when you travel, you will need completely different clothing and preparation.
- Northeast (Boston, New York, Washington) — Four distinct seasons. Cold winters (-10°C to 0°C), hot, humid summers (30–35°C), spectacular fall (Indian Summer). Best travel time: May–June and September–October.
- Southeast (Florida, Georgia, Carolinas) — Subtropical to tropical. Warm year-round in Florida (winter 20–25°C, summer 30–35°C + extreme humidity). Hurricane season: June–November (peak August–October).
- Midwest (Chicago, Minneapolis) — Extreme temperature differences: -20°C in winter, 35°C in summer. Chicago in January is one of the coldest major cities in the world (wind chill down to -40°C!).
- Southwest (Arizona, Nevada, Utah) — Desert climate. Summers extremely hot (Phoenix: 45°C+, Death Valley: 50°C+). Winters mild and sunny (15–20°C). Best travel time: March–May and September–November.
- West Coast (California) — Mediterranean climate in Southern California (mild year-round, little rain). San Francisco is surprisingly cool and foggy in summer!
- Pacific Northwest (Seattle, Portland) — Rainy from October to June. Green and mild, but rarely sunny. Summer (July–September) is perfect.
- Hawaii — Tropical, warm year-round (24–31°C). Dry side (west coast) and wet side (east coast) on each island. Less rain November–April.
