Best Weather by Month
in the U.S.
Explore when and where U.S. weather tends to be most favorable, using Perfect Weather Index scores based on National Weather Service forecast data.
Weather Has a Season. The Best Places Change Month by Month.
Weather varies significantly across the United States depending on the time of year. This guide ranks weather conditions month by month using Perfect Weather Index scores — a data-driven measure that combines temperature, wind, cloud cover, humidity, and precipitation into a single weather rating.
How the Best Weather Shifts Through the Year
The best weather is not fixed in one region. Winter favors the South and Southwest. Summer shifts toward northern states, coasts, and higher elevations. Spring and fall produce the broadest favorable weather windows.
Winter
December through February favors the southern U.S., where mild temperatures and stable conditions contrast with cold and snow farther north.
Spring
March through May brings improving conditions nationwide, with the South and Southwest leading early and northern regions catching up by May.
Summer
June through August shifts the best weather toward higher elevations, coastal areas, and northern states as heat and humidity build elsewhere.
Fall
September through November is often the strongest season for widespread favorable weather, with moderate temperatures and more stable patterns.
Explore the Best Weather in Each Month
Each monthly page provides a more focused look at where U.S. weather tends to rank best during that part of the year.
January
January rankings favor the southern United States, with the Southeast, southern Texas, Arizona, and coastal California often performing well while northern regions deal with winter cold.
Best Weather in January →February
February remains winter for much of the country, but the Gulf Coast and desert Southwest continue to offer some of the strongest weather windows.
Best Weather in February →March
March begins the spring transition. The South and Southwest improve first, while central and eastern regions remain more variable.
Best Weather in March →April
April is broadly favorable as temperatures moderate, northern regions emerge from winter, and stable spring windows become more common.
Best Weather in April →May
May is one of the strongest months nationwide, with comfortable temperatures across many regions before peak summer heat arrives.
Best Weather in May →June
June shifts the best weather toward northern states, higher elevations, and coastal regions as heat and humidity increase elsewhere.
Best Weather in June →July
July is peak summer. Coastal areas, mountains, and northern states usually offer the most favorable conditions.
Best Weather in July →August
August remains summer-dominated, with the best scores often found along coasts, at higher elevations, and in parts of the northern U.S.
Best Weather in August →September
September begins one of the best national weather stretches as temperatures moderate and humidity starts to ease.
Best Weather in September →October
October is one of the highest-ranking months, with cooler temperatures, lower humidity, and widespread favorable weather.
Best Weather in October →November
November favors the South and Southwest as northern states transition toward winter and colder storm patterns.
Best Weather in November →December
December strongly favors southern states and desert regions while winter settles across the northern half of the country.
Best Weather in December →When Is the Best Weather Overall?
Late spring and early fall tend to produce the most widespread favorable weather across the United States, with strong scores in the greatest number of regions at the same time. That said, every month has a regional winner — the best weather depends heavily on where you are going and what conditions you want.
May, September, and October often provide the broadest mix of mild temperatures, lower humidity, and fewer widespread extremes. Winter favors southern regions, while summer favors northern and higher-elevation areas.
About These Monthly Rankings
Monthly rankings are based on daily Perfect Weather Index scores aggregated across the month. The score combines temperature, sunshine, humidity, wind, and precipitation into a single rating so locations and time periods can be compared more easily.
All rankings are derived from forecast-based National Weather Service data. Results reflect patterns and tendencies and should not be interpreted as long-term climate normals. Conditions vary from year to year.
More Ways to Find Good Weather
Every Month Has a Best Weather Region.
The monthly guides help show where favorable weather shifts throughout the year, from desert winters to mountain summers and broad spring and fall windows.
Browse Monthly Rankings ↑