United States

103.26# of Sunny DaysNational Average

54.73 °FAverage TemperatureNational Average

4,410.25 kJ/m²Average Annual SunlightNational Average

67.1%Average Relative HumidityNational Average

Number of Sunny Days

58193

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
11	Idaho	120
12	Nebraska	117
13	Missouri	115
13	South Carolina	115
15	Wyoming	114
16	Georgia	112
17	Mississippi	111
18	North Carolina	109
19	Maryland	105
19	Iowa	105
21	South Dakota	104
22	Tennessee	102
23	Maine	101
23	Florida	101
23	Louisiana	101
26	Virginia	100
27	Alabama	99
28	Massachusetts	98
28	Rhode Island	98
30	Delaware	97
31	Minnesota	95
31	Illinois	95
33	New Jersey	94
34	North Dakota	93
34	Kentucky	93
36	Hawaii	90
36	New Hampshire	90
38	Wisconsin	89
39	Indiana	88
40	Pennsylvania	87
41	Montana	82
41	Connecticut	82
43	Ohio	72
44	Michigan	71
45	Oregon	68
46	New York	63
47	Alaska	61
48	West Virginia	60
49	Washington	58
49	Vermont	58

Table of Contents↑

Interactive Map
Introduction
Top 10
Source

Last updated February 28, 2026

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.

All Metrics

Region ↕	# of Sunny Days↕	Average Temperature 2024↕	Average Annual Sunlight 2019↕	Average Relative Humidity 2018↕
Arizona	193	62.5°F	5,755 kJ/m²	38.5%
New Mexico	167	56.3°F	5,642 kJ/m²	45.9%
Nevada	158	52.7°F	5,296 kJ/m²	38.3%
California	146	60.5°F	5,050 kJ/m²	61.0%
Oklahoma	139	63.1°F	4,912 kJ/m²	64.0%
Colorado	136	47.6°F	4,960 kJ/m²	54.1%
Texas	135	68.6°F	5,137 kJ/m²	64.9%
Kansas	128	57.6°F	4,890 kJ/m²	65.7%
Utah	125	51.2°F	4,887 kJ/m²	51.7%
Arkansas	123	63.3°F	4,725 kJ/m²	70.9%
Idaho	120	45.5°F	4,251 kJ/m²	62.4%
Nebraska	117	52.0°F	4,685 kJ/m²	65.8%
Missouri	115	58.0°F	4,545 kJ/m²	69.2%
South Carolina	115	64.8°F	4,624 kJ/m²	69.1%
Wyoming	114	44.3°F	4,471 kJ/m²	57.1%
Georgia	112	65.9°F	4,661 kJ/m²	71.1%
Mississippi	111	66.6°F	4,693 kJ/m²	73.6%
North Carolina	109	61.2°F	4,466 kJ/m²	70.6%
Maryland	105	57.5°F	4,267 kJ/m²	68.8%
Iowa	105	51.5°F	4,331 kJ/m²	72.4%
South Dakota	104	48.3°F	4,332 kJ/m²	66.4%
Tennessee	102	60.6°F	4,486 kJ/m²	69.4%
Maine	101	45.0°F	3,815 kJ/m²	71.7%
Florida	101	73.0°F	4,859 kJ/m²	74.5%
Louisiana	101	69.2°F	4,725 kJ/m²	74.0%
Virginia	100	58.0°F	4,354 kJ/m²	68.7%
Alabama	99	65.4°F	4,660 kJ/m²	71.6%
Massachusetts	98	51.2°F	3,944 kJ/m²	71.1%
Rhode Island	98	52.3°F	3,989 kJ/m²	71.4%
Delaware	97	57.5°F	4,232 kJ/m²	70.9%
Minnesota	95	45.5°F	3,968 kJ/m²	70.4%
Illinois	95	55.5°F	4,380 kJ/m²	70.9%
New Jersey	94	55.7°F	4,056 kJ/m²	68.5%
North Dakota	93	43.7°F	3,925 kJ/m²	70.9%
Kentucky	93	58.8°F	4,383 kJ/m²	70.3%
Hawaii	90	66.7°F		73.3%
New Hampshire	90	47.0°F	3,891 kJ/m²	70.4%
Wisconsin	89	47.6°F	4,023 kJ/m²	71.6%
Indiana	88	55.2°F	4,318 kJ/m²	72.0%
Pennsylvania	87	52.1°F	3,939 kJ/m²	69.6%
Montana	82	44.5°F	3,847 kJ/m²	60.4%
Connecticut	82	52.2°F	3,988 kJ/m²	69.2%
Ohio	72	54.9°F	4,139 kJ/m²	71.5%
Michigan	71	48.9°F	4,018 kJ/m²	72.1%
Oregon	68	49.1°F	3,830 kJ/m²	68.6%
New York	63	49.0°F	3,904 kJ/m²	70.7%
Alaska	61	28.9°F		77.1%
West Virginia	60	55.1°F	4,146 kJ/m²	69.7%
Washington	58	48.4°F	3,467 kJ/m²	71.4%
Vermont	58	46.3°F	3,826 kJ/m²	71.7%

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):