About Climate
Everything you need to know about climate across the 50 states
The United States spans an extraordinary range of climate zones - from the frozen tundra of Alaska to the tropical paradise of Hawaii, and from the scorching deserts of the Southwest to the humid bayous of Louisiana. This diversity makes American weather some of the most dramatic and unpredictable on Earth.
Every year, powerful hurricanes batter the Gulf Coast and Atlantic seaboard, while Tornado Alley - stretching from Texas through Oklahoma and Kansas - produces more twisters than anywhere else on the planet. The West faces its own challenges: California's wildfire seasons have grown longer and more destructive, fueled by drought, Santa Ana winds, and rising temperatures.
Climate change is reshaping the nation's weather patterns in real time. Alaska is warming two to three times faster than the global average, with permafrost thawing beneath roads and buildings. Coastal cities from Miami to Charleston face increasing flood risks as sea levels climb. Meanwhile, the Midwest contends with heavier rainfall events and shifting agricultural seasons that threaten the country's breadbasket.
Understanding America's climate isn't just about memorizing facts - it's about grasping the forces that shape daily life for millions of people. From the lake-effect snowstorms that bury Buffalo to the monsoon rains that drench Phoenix each summer, weather connects us all. Test your knowledge of temperature extremes, precipitation records, natural disasters, and the science behind our changing climate with the quizzes below.