When to go
It is hard to find a single period in which the weather is the best throughout the country. In general, however, since the climate of most of the United States is cold in winter and hot in summer, you can choose
spring and autumn. It must be said, however, that during spring, tornadoes are possible in the inland areas of the central and eastern part, and in autumn, hurricanes can affect the southernmost area, still of the center-east.
Being that it's mild even in summer, you can visit the
west coast, including Seattle and San Francisco, from May to September.
On the coast of Southern California and in Los Angeles, you can go throughout the year, but they are preferable in spring, from March to May; in this way, you can move to the interior without fear of the heat (but in the desert, the month of May can be already hot), or to the parks of the Sierra Nevada without fear of the winter cold.
You can visit the Death Valley from November to March, however, the best months are February and March (in this way, you can reduce the risk of the cold at night). This period is generally recommended for the hot desert areas.
You can visit the
Grand Canyon, in April and October, in order to avoid both the summer heat in the lower part and the winter cold of the upper part. In the high mountain areas of the Rockies, including the Yellowstone National Park, you can go in summer, from June to August.
The best periods in
New York are the month of May and from mid-September to mid-October; the latter is generally a mild and relatively calm period. In winter, there's the risk of freezing cold and snow storms. In summer, there can sometimes be uncomfortable heat, while thunderstorms can break out in the afternoon. In early spring, the weather can be unstable, and sometimes cold.
This period of early autumn is good throughout the
north and north-east, but also in the
highlands of the western area, bearing in mind that it can already get cold at night. May is also a good month in these areas.
You can visit
Miami, the Everglades and Southern Florida from November to April, but for a beach holiday, you can choose the period mid-March to late April, in order to avoid the risk of the rare but not impossible cold periods.
March-April and October-November are good periods to visit the southern regions and those bordering the
Gulf of Mexico. In the former, however, tornadoes are possible away from the coast, while in the latter, especially in October, hurricanes are still possible. In winter, the weather is often pleasant, but we cannot exclude short cold waves.
What to pack
In
winter: in the northern and mountainous areas, pack cold weather clothing, such as synthetic, thermal and long underwear, a down filled parka with insulated hood, gloves, warm boots, and a benie; T-shirts and light shirts for hot indoor environments.
In New York, pack a down jacket, gloves, a scarf, and a hat.
In the Seattle area and the north-west coast, pack warm clothes, a winter coat, and a raincoat or umbrella.
In Los Angeles and Miami, pack clothes for spring and autumn, an umbrella.
In the southern states and northern Florida, clothes for spring and autumn, but also warm clothes and a warm jacket for any short cold spells.
In
summer: in the northernmost areas, pack light clothing, T-shirts for hot days, a jacket and sweatshirt for the evening and for cool days, and a raincoat or umbrella.
On the west coast, down to San Francisco, pack clothes for spring and autumn: a T-shirt, a shirt, a jacket, and a sweatshirt or sweater.
In New York, Chicago, Boston and Washington: pack light clothing, a T-shirt, a jacket and a sweater for the evening and for cool days, an umbrella, a sweatshirt and a pashmina for airconditioned places.
In desert areas and the south: lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, a sun hat, a sweatshirt and a pashmina for airconditioned places, comfortable and breathable shoes; in Florida and the southern states, an umbrella or lightweight rain gear; in the deserts, a light scarf for the wind full of dust.
In the mountainous national parks: hiking shoes, a jacket and a sweatshirt or sweater for the evening, sunscreen, sunglasses, hiking boots, and a raincoat or umbrella.
Back to the climate of
United States