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Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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I know it's diverse, but overall, I would say the United States is a sunny country, sometimes surprisingly so. For a few reasons:
* Most of it's landmass gets at least 2500 hours of sun a year, from the West to East coast, with only a few cloudy mountainous areas.
* Cloudiest areas, the PNW, still get 2000 hours: high by European standards (much of NW Europe gets 1200-1800 hours a year). The Great Lakes and parts of NE are cloudy by US standards but still manage at least 2000 hours a year (my definition for the start of gloomy weather).
* Settled pattern of weather over much of the North American continent.
* Some areas are surprisingly sunny...New York gets 2620 hours of bright sun a year, yet I've heard some complain about it's gloominess!
* It does contain the sunniest city in the world, Yuma, Arizona with 4000 hours/90%.
As a country, no.
The U.S.A.'s climates are too diverse.
I would describe Canada as a cloudy country with few exceptions,
and the U.S.A. as an intermediate country;
as a whole, most parts neither excessively cloudy nor sunny.
I would consider the southern U.S. "Sun Belt" generally sunny though;
everywhere from the 37th parallel southwards,
including all U.S. Islands and territories south of the 37th.
South of the 45th parallel, west of the 100th meridian and east of the Coast Range,
I would consider that area sunny too.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,544 posts, read 56,081,790 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ColdCanadian
As a country, no.
The U.S.A.'s climates are too diverse.
I would describe Canada as a cloudy country with few exceptions,
and the U.S.A. as an intermediate country;
as a whole, most parts neither excessively cloudy nor sunny.
I would consider the southern U.S. "Sun Belt" generally sunny though;
everywhere from the 37th parallel southwards,
including all U.S. Islands and territories south of the 37th.
South of the 45th parallel, west of the 100th meridian and east of the Coast Range,
I would consider that area sunny too.
On a world standard the US is probably around intermediate to sunny I think. However, in few places would it be cloudy enough to seem 'gloomy.' I think those areas would include parts of New England, Upstate NY, The Great Lakes Region and PNW.
On a world standard the US is probably around intermediate to sunny I think. However, in few places would it be cloudy enough to seem 'gloomy.' I think those areas would include parts of New England, Upstate NY, The Great Lakes Region and PNW.
The southwestern Great Lakes (like Chicago) is a lot sunnier.
Never been, but I'd assume they are more intermediate.
Our winds tend to be from the west, SW or NW 80-90% of the year, because of our latitude.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,544 posts, read 56,081,790 times
Reputation: 11862
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichardW
The only area in the world which is truly gloomy is the United Kingdom.
The UK gets about 1000 (Scottish highlands) to 1900 (Channel Islands) hours a year. London gets 1450, Manchester 1300 and Brighton 1800.
Areas with similar values include British Columbia, Newfoundland, Northern Germany, coastal Norway, south island of NZ, Western Tasmania and parts of China.
Yes, I'd consider the U.S. to be a sunny country. Even though we get very cold up here, we still have a lot of winter days with sunshine. And during the other three seasons, we see the sun most of the time. Keep in mind that mine is one of the coldest regions of our country and there are many places that see more sun then I do.
Yes, we are sunny..........even the winters can be quite sunny. Most of our states have an abundance of sunshine.
I prefer Florida which is full of year round sun. I like being able to get out in the winter with out all the layers and then enjoying the wonderful, warm days.
There were times when I would talk to someone in Florida and they were outside roaming around. It was still light and sunny.......late into the evening.
I'd look out my window and in PA it would be pitch black, and cold, outside.......
As a whole the United States is a very sunny place.......
Some areas colder then others........
But, that Sun loves to come out in all weather........and it is a joy.
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