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I have experienced 107 degrees and -40 degrees, strangely enough, both extremes were 6 miles from the border--opposite borders! I really love winter and don't mind the extreme cold. I was out carving a snow sculpture at -30 (okay, that was nuts). However, as you get older, you aren't going to want to be in the severe cold unless you have lived with it your whole life.
There are several areas that are mild all year long. Mostly, they are areas with small towns. I'm in one now. It will get into the mid to high 90s in July and in the 30s in January. It is like a northern spring out there right now and it is February.
I think both can be really bad, but I'd go with brutal winters as the worst. At least in the summer you can go out in the morning and evening when its bearable, but if it's a harsh winter, it's probably been snowing and icing all day. Can't go anywhere! At least I wouldn't...
I think the thing about hot summer days in LA is that summer lasts forever & by October most people are getting real tired of the heat [esp since it stays hot right into early November]. But as others have pointed out, even on really hot days most nights eventually drop into the 60's by early morning & all-night AC isn't necessary except during a few really humid periods. But summer heat is still better than the kind of cold found in northern states during winter. I like that a pair of shorts & flips flops is all I need. It has to be expensive living in snowy climates because of all the coats\ hats a person has to wear.
Actually, it is just relative to where you live, and where you grew up. When I was growing up in SW Wyoming, it was common for the winter temps to reach -5F or -10F and wind chill making it -35F to -50F, and I was cold dealing with it, but then I moved to Portland where it is naturally, a lot warmer, but wetter, and even in the winter time here, I can take it down to about 30 or 35 outside without a jacket--just a long sleeve shirt, and remind you, the humidity at that temp is 100% here because if it is below 45F outside here, it is either raining, about to rain, just finished raining, or is foggy. Also, in the Rocky Mtn/mid-west states where it is blistering cold, people have gas heating in their homes, which is a lot cheaper than electric heating, so in all reality, it is probably cheaper in the colder climates, and you wouldn't be using the A/C as much in the summer either.
It's all relative to where you grew up or have lived for a long time, but IMO, it is far easier to adjust to the cold than it is to the heat.
Here in Minnesota I have seen -30 in February to having 100 less than 4 months later. Talk about a swing.
Also have witnessed 90 September days to -20 Novemeber days.... 110 swing in a 45 day span!
Also have seen snow on the groun in every Month besides July and August
You should try Spearfish, SD ( near Rapid City ). One day I was there, it was 38 in the morning and made it to 91 in the afternoon, and then I learned that wasn't even their record swing in a day, and is the #1 city in the USA that has extremes to one end and the other the most often...talk about going from a jacket to shorts LOL
Actually, it is just relative to where you live, and where you grew up. When I was growing up in SW Wyoming, it was common for the winter temps to reach -5F or -10F and wind chill making it -35F to -50F, and I was cold dealing with it, but then I moved to Portland where it is naturally, a lot warmer, but wetter, and even in the winter time here, I can take it down to about 30 or 35 outside without a jacket--just a long sleeve shirt, and remind you, the humidity at that temp is 100% here because if it is below 45F outside here, it is either raining, about to rain, just finished raining, or is foggy. Also, in the Rocky Mtn/mid-west states where it is blistering cold, people have gas heating in their homes, which is a lot cheaper than electric heating, so in all reality, it is probably cheaper in the colder climates, and you wouldn't be using the A/C as much in the summer either.
It's all relative to where you grew up or have lived for a long time, but IMO, it is far easier to adjust to the cold than it is to the heat.
I see your point but in the West the humidity is at it's lowest when it is the hottest part of the day w/ occasional exceptions when monsoon moisture moves in. During those periods, LA is very uncomfortable. I know it is more expensive to cool a house down than to warm it up but if winters are so mild that you don't need much heat than it isn't very expensive. I think most people need a coat once the temperature drops below 60F or at least below 50F if you are going to be outside for a long time. But I can handle temps up to 90F fairly easily especially if there is shade.
Winters are worse. If it gets cold and wet enough outside, it becomes paralyzing. I've lived in the tropics and in the desert, and it was never too hot to get in the car and go somewhere.
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Humid ones on the other hand would drive me crazy lol
