United States weather varies tremendously between different regions of the country. After all, the USA is the fourth-largest country in the world, covering an area of over 7.8 million sq km/3 million sq mi, therefore trying to explain United States weather within the short perimeters of a single sentence is an impossible task indeed. However to simplify matters a general thumb rule can be applied: weather in the United States is overall warmer in the western and southern half of the country, the Eastern/Northern is characterized by extremely cold winters with heavy snowfall and rather pleasant summers, while weather in the Western/Southern part is renewed for its extremely hot summers and comparatively tolerable winters.

To simplify matters even more, United States weather can be divided into six regions, each with its own patterns and peculiarities.

Northwest Pacific

Including the states of Oregon and Washington, the northwest Pacific region of the US is the wettest part of the country. Rain falls throughout the year, usually in the form of light drizzles and temperatures remain mild throughout, averaging around 40 degree F. (32.2 degree C). During summer, temperatures rise slightly and fog is frequent around the coast, especially during the early hours of the morning.  

Mid/South Pacific Rockies

The Mid/South Pacific Rockies region includes states like California, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and Nevada. United States weather in this part of the country is renewed for its predominantly dry and delightful summers. Thanks to the “promotion” it enjoys through numerous Hollywood blockbusters, California weather is famous around the globe for the excellent conditions it enjoys throughout the year. Even during winter, very few places in California experience snow as even in the worst case scenario patterns remain tolerable throughout. It does tend to get somewhat cooler in the northern parts of the state, however; although weather becomes quite chilly during winter, it seldom becomes freezing cold.

Other states Montana, Idaho and Wyoming experience significantly colder winter conditions; temperatures usually hover well bellow freezing point, making Colorado, Utah and Nevada a favorite holiday destination for ski enthusiasts.

Midwest

Including states like Dakotas, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana, the Midwest region of the USA experiences moderately dry conditions. During summer, weather retains an excellent disposition throughout the region, becoming bitterly cold and peppered with extensive snowfall and heavy chilly winds during winter. Temperatures in the Midwest can drop to a freezing 50 degree F. Most of precipitation occurs during late spring and early summer.

Northeast

United States weather in the northeast of the country is characteristically rainy. Including states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Maryland the northeast experiences cold winters with heavy snow and freezing rain, while the summers are predominantly sunny and warm.

Southeast

Renewed for its extremely hot and dry summers, the southeast region includes the states of Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia as well as portion of Arkansas and Louisiana. Rain is moderate and evenly distributed throughout the year, weather remaining pleasant for most parts of spring, summer and autumn. Although quite mild and short in time span, winters in the southeast are often intercepted by some snowfall and freezing rain. Falling similar patterns as California, Southern Florida enjoys excellent weather conditions throughout the year.

Southwest

The southwest region of the USA (comprising Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and western portions of Arkansas and Louisiana) is not only the hottest in the country, but also the one with the highest rainfall. Usually heavy in ferocity, rainfalls in the southwest are quite frequently accompanied with severe thunder storms, dangerous lightening and occasional tornadoes. Although short in duration, winters in the region are renewed for their freezing rain, while spring and fall are quite long with predominantly pleasant conditions. By summertime though, heat becomes almost impossible to bear, with temperatures hovering around 100F during most days, occasionally soaring even higher. lifornia, and Alaska.

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