FAQs about US Climate

The United States is a very large country with many different geographical features. Because of these features, the country has many different climates. There are tropical climates and many different types of subtropical climates. Other climates in the country include arid and Mediterranean climates. There are also many areas of the country that have humid continental and oceanic climates. There are also many areas of tundra and alpine type climates. The northern part of Alaska is very cold and arctic. The tropical climates are found in Hawaii and in southern Florida. The arid deserts are found in the Southwest, and the humid climates are found in the Southeast.
Death Valley, in California, is the hottest place in the United States. It holds the record for the highest air temperature recorded on Earth. On July 10, 1913, the air temperature at Furnace Creek, in Death Valley, reached 134°F (56.7°C). The summer months are extremely hot at Death Valley with average high temperatures of over 120°F (49°C) for the months of June, July, and August.
The lowest temperature recorded in the United States occurred on January 23, 1971 at US Army camp Prospect Creek Camp in Alaska at -80°F (-62°C). Many places in northern Alaska have long cold winters with low temperatures, lots of snow, and short days.
The states and regions of the Pacific Northwest receive the most precipitation in the United States. Hawaii, which is made up of wet islands, is the wettest state. One of the wettest places on Earth is Mount Waialeale on the island of Kauai. It receives more than 450 inches of rain per year. The wettest places on the mainland are found in the states of Washington and Oregon. These areas receive so much precipitation because the moisture laden air from the Pacific Ocean creates a lot of rain.
The driest parts of the country are found in the desert. Much of the Southwest, including parts of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah are very dry, some receiving as little as 2 inches of rain per year. These places are also very dry with very little plant life.
The United States has many different climates. The country is very large and has to different heights. There are many big mountains and the country borders the oceans and the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, the country spans many latitudes. Because of these factors, the country has many different climate types. Mountain ranges such as the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada Mountains affect weather in their regions. Also, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Great Lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico play a big role in the country’s climates. Because of these many factors, the climates in the different parts of the country can be very different.