Best Weather By State

Sunny Days
Sunny Days
1.ArizonaArizona193
2.New MexicoNew Mexico167
3.NevadaNevada158
4.CaliforniaCalifornia146
5.OklahomaOklahoma139
6.ColoradoColorado136
7.TexasTexas135
8.KansasKansas128
9.UtahUtah125
10.ArkansasArkansas123
11.IdahoIdaho120
12.NebraskaNebraska117
13.South CarolinaSouth Carolina115
14.MissouriMissouri115
15.WyomingWyoming114
16.GeorgiaGeorgia112
17.MississippiMississippi111
18.North CarolinaNorth Carolina109
19.MarylandMaryland105
20.IowaIowa105
21.South DakotaSouth Dakota104
22.TennesseeTennessee102
23.FloridaFlorida101
24.MaineMaine101
25.LouisianaLouisiana101
26.VirginiaVirginia100
27.AlabamaAlabama99
28.MassachusettsMassachusetts98
29.Rhode IslandRhode Island98
30.DelawareDelaware97
31.IllinoisIllinois95
32.MinnesotaMinnesota95
33.New JerseyNew Jersey94
34.KentuckyKentucky93
35.North DakotaNorth Dakota93
36.HawaiiHawaii90
37.New HampshireNew Hampshire90
38.WisconsinWisconsin89
39.IndianaIndiana88
40.PennsylvaniaPennsylvania87
41.MontanaMontana82
42.ConnecticutConnecticut82
43.OhioOhio72
44.MichiganMichigan71
45.OregonOregon68
46.New YorkNew York63
47.AlaskaAlaska61
48.West VirginiaWest Virginia60
49.WashingtonWashington58
50.VermontVermont58

Rays of Sunshine: The Best Weather by State

For many of us, the landscape of daily life is greatly influenced by the weather. Whether we're planning a picnic, bundling up for a winter walk, or considering a move to a new state, weather plays an essential role. The United States, with its varied geographical layout and expansive territory, experiences a wide range of weather patterns. For individuals who have a proclivity for abundant sunlight, certain states offer a more desirable climate. Our list rankings are based on this sunny day metric, showcasing which states bask in the most sunlight. Key findings:

  • Arizona, known for its desert climate, tops the list with an astounding 193 sunny days per year.
  • The Southwestern states - including New Mexico, Nevada, and California - consistently rank high for sunniness, with 167, 158, and 146 sunny days, respectively. These states offer a warm, dry climate and plenty of sunny days.
  • However, the distribution of sunny states is not confined to the Southwestern region. Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas from the South and Midwest also rank within the top ten states for sunshine.
  • At the other end of the spectrum, Vermont has the fewest sunny days, with an average of 58 per year. The Northeastern states, including New York, Oregon, and West Virginia, have fewer sunny days overall.
  • Lastly, whether you desire a balanced four-season climate or a constant summer-like atmosphere, states such as California and Florida host wonderful beach cities that offer an ample sunny climate throughout the year.

10 States with the Best Weather

Topping our list is Arizona, with an outstanding average of 193 sunny days annually. Second on the list is New Mexico, with a yearly average of 167 sunny days. The "Silver State" of Nevada follows closely, basking in the sun for 158 days per year. In the renowned "Golden State", California, you can expect to enjoy 146 sunny days annually. Mid-western state Oklahoma brings in 139 sunny days, followed by the mountainous Colorado, lit with sun for 136 days out of the year. At the heart of the South, Texas characterized by its variable climate, enjoys 135 sunny days per year. Kansas in the Midwest, stands eighth with an average of 128 sunny days, while Utah enjoys 125, despite having a largely desert terrain. Rounding out our top ten is Arkansas with an annual average of 123 sunny days.

10 States with Best Weather (Based on Sunny Days):

  1. Arizona - 193
  2. New Mexico - 167
  3. Nevada - 158
  4. California - 146
  5. Oklahoma - 139
  6. Colorado - 136
  7. Texas - 135
  8. Kansas - 128
  9. Utah - 125
  10. Arkansas - 123

By Region

Alabama

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Alabama

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

99

#27

Alaska

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Alaska

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

61

#47

Arizona

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Arizona

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

193

#1

Arkansas

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Arkansas

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

123

#10

California

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California

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

146

#4

Colorado

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Colorado

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

136

#6

Connecticut

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Connecticut

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

82

#42

Delaware

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Delaware

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

97

#30

Florida

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Florida

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

101

#23

Georgia

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Georgia

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

112

#16

Hawaii

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Hawaii

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

90

#36

Idaho

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Idaho

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

120

#11

Illinois

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Illinois

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

95

#31

Indiana

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Indiana

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

88

#39

Iowa

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Iowa

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

105

#20

Kansas

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Kansas

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

128

#8

Kentucky

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Kentucky

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

93

#34

Louisiana

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Louisiana

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

101

#25

Maine

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Maine

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

101

#24

Maryland

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Maryland

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

105

#19

Massachusetts

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Massachusetts

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

98

#28

Michigan

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Michigan

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

71

#44

Minnesota

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Minnesota

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

95

#32

Mississippi

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Mississippi

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

111

#17

Missouri

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Missouri

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

115

#14

Montana

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Montana

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

82

#41

Nebraska

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Nebraska

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

117

#12

Nevada

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Nevada

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

158

#3

New Hampshire

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New Hampshire

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

90

#37

New Jersey

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New Jersey

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

94

#33

New Mexico

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New Mexico

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

167

#2

New York

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New York

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

63

#46

North Carolina

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North Carolina

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

109

#18

North Dakota

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North Dakota

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

93

#35

Ohio

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Ohio

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

72

#43

Oklahoma

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Oklahoma

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

139

#5

Oregon

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Oregon

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

68

#45

Pennsylvania

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Pennsylvania

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

87

#40

Rhode Island

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Rhode Island

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

98

#29

South Carolina

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South Carolina

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

115

#13

South Dakota

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South Dakota

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

104

#21

Tennessee

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Tennessee

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

102

#22

Texas

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Texas

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

135

#7

Utah

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Utah

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

125

#9

Vermont

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Vermont

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

58

#50

Virginia

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Virginia

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

100

#26

Washington

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Washington

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

58

#49

West Virginia

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West Virginia

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

60

#48

Wisconsin

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Wisconsin

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

89

#38

Wyoming

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Wyoming

Metric

Value

Rank

Sunny Days

114

#15

Table

Region ↕Sunny Days ↕
Alabama iconAlabama99
Alaska iconAlaska61
Arizona iconArizona193
Arkansas iconArkansas123
California iconCalifornia146
Colorado iconColorado136
Connecticut iconConnecticut82
Delaware iconDelaware97
Florida iconFlorida101
Georgia iconGeorgia112
Hawaii iconHawaii90
Idaho iconIdaho120
Illinois iconIllinois95
Indiana iconIndiana88
Iowa iconIowa105
Kansas iconKansas128
Kentucky iconKentucky93
Louisiana iconLouisiana101
Maine iconMaine101
Maryland iconMaryland105
Massachusetts iconMassachusetts98
Michigan iconMichigan71
Minnesota iconMinnesota95
Mississippi iconMississippi111
Missouri iconMissouri115
Montana iconMontana82
Nebraska iconNebraska117
Nevada iconNevada158
New Hampshire iconNew Hampshire90
New Jersey iconNew Jersey94
New Mexico iconNew Mexico167
New York iconNew York63
North Carolina iconNorth Carolina109
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota93
Ohio iconOhio72
Oklahoma iconOklahoma139
Oregon iconOregon68
Pennsylvania iconPennsylvania87
Rhode Island iconRhode Island98
South Carolina iconSouth Carolina115
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota104
Tennessee iconTennessee102
Texas iconTexas135
Utah iconUtah125
Vermont iconVermont58
Virginia iconVirginia100
Washington iconWashington58
West Virginia iconWest Virginia60
Wisconsin iconWisconsin89
Wyoming iconWyoming114
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