Climate can outline a area and its identification. For instance, Pacific Northwest cities like Seattle, WA are identified for his or her clouds and rain, whereas desert cities reminiscent of Phoenix, AZ are dry and clear for a lot of the 12 months.
Nevertheless, an often-overlooked facet of climate is humidity. Humidity performs an vital position in influencing how scorching the temperature really feels (the warmth index); excessive warmth plus excessive humidity may be very harmful. Folks dwelling within the southeastern U.S. understand how a lot humidity can have an effect on day by day life.
When deciding the place to reside, understanding how your physique adapts to humidity is vital. Many individuals desire the sensation of dry warmth, whereas others don’t thoughts the heavier air that comes with excessive humidity. So, in case you’re planning to maneuver someplace new, learn on to find probably the most humid cities within the U.S. and see in the event that they’re best for you.
How we outline humidity
Earlier than we dive into probably the most humid cities, let’s outline what humidity is. There are typically 3 ways to measure humidity: relative humidity, absolute humidity, and dew level.
Relative humidity: Usually shortened to simply “humidity,” that is the share of moisture within the air in comparison with how a lot it could possibly maintain at a given temperature.
Absolute humidity: The entire quantity of water vapor within the air, no matter temperature.
Dew level: The temperature at which air turns into totally saturated, resulting in condensation.
This record focuses on the primary class, relative humidity. Relative humidity is the commonest manner folks assume and discuss humidity and the way “muggy” the air feels. Relative humidity is greater when the air temperature is decrease and decrease when air temperature is greater. As such, we’ll additionally point out common annual temperature.
We’ll additionally point out dew factors when potential; they measure the precise moisture within the air, in contrast to relative humidity, which exhibits how saturated the air is at a given temperature. As an example, a 35°F day with a 35°F dew level produces 100% relative humidity, however the air gained’t really feel very humid because of the low water content material. In distinction, a 90°F day with a 70°F dew level leads to solely 52% relative humidity however feels a lot stickier. Increased dew factors at all times really feel extra humid.
Hold studying to see our rating of probably the most humid cities with over 20,000 residents primarily based on their common annual relative humidity. Afterwards, we’ll briefly record the least humid cities.
What are probably the most humid cities within the U.S.?
1. Juneau, Alaska
Common annual humidity: 79%
Common annual temperature: 42.1°F
Probably the most humid metropolis within the U.S. is Juneau, AK. Juneau can also be one of many coldest cities within the nation and sees ~90” of snowfall per 12 months.
Juneau is so humid due to its coastal location and chilly local weather. Colder air can maintain much less water, in spite of everything. Temperatures hardly ever surpass 65°F, and precipitation from the lively Northern Pacific is widespread year-round – greater than 250 days throughout a moist 12 months. Fortunately, since temperatures are cool, dew factors are additionally low, so it hardly ever feels very humid.
Should you’re pondering of shifting to the world, you’ll love the glacier-filled landscapes, small-town really feel, indigenous tradition, and wealthy historical past. Plus, full of life residents will greater than make up for the gloomy climate.
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2. San Francisco, California
Common annual humidity: 78%
Common annual temperature: 58.7°F
San Francisco is the second-most humid metropolis in america. Recognized for its cool, foggy summers, SF is really a maritime city influenced by the ocean. Rainfall is much less widespread than you would possibly anticipate, however a constant onshore movement means the air is mostly very damp.
Occasionally, drier offshore wind (from the mainland) blows in and creates scorching, brittle, sunny situations. This climate sample is conducive to wildfires and is turning into extra widespread all through the Bay Space. Nevertheless, that is uncommon sufficient that it hardly brings down the area’s excessive common humidity.
SF is understood for its tech business and tradition, historic landmarks, large parks, and delightful vistas, making it a one-of-a-kind place to name house. There are actually an infinite quantity of issues to do. Town is among the many most costly within the nation, although.
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3. Port Arthur, Texas
Common annual humidity: 76.5%
Common annual temperature: 69.9°F
Simply an hour and a half east of Houston, Port Arthur is a small Texas metropolis identified for its oil business, cajun cooking, and out of doors recreation. Town sits on Sabine Lake simply throughout from the Louisiana border.
The mix of warmth and humidity turns into an issue within the south. Port Arthur will get its moisture from the nice and cozy waters of the close by Gulf of Mexico, which may create extraordinarily muggy climate. It is because hotter air can maintain extra water, translating to greater dew factors and creating a really humid-feeling local weather. Winters are typically delicate and nice, however summers are scorching and suffocating.
Dry air generally flows in, which might help with humidity however typically results in hotter temperatures. Extreme climate can also be quite common within the area, with hurricanes, thunderstorms, and flooding all potential
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4. Lake Charles, Louisiana
Common annual humidity: 76%
Common annual temperature: 69.7°F
Lake Charles is the fourth-most humid metropolis within the nation. As one other southern metropolis on the Gulf Coast, stormy climate, heavy rain, and flooding are once more widespread. Lake Charles is just an hour from Port Arthur, so that they have very related climates.
Lake Charles is understood for its casinos, oil refineries, and seashores. Plus, the world’s value of dwelling could be very low, so in case you can deal with scorching, humid climate for six months of the 12 months, you would think about shifting.
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5. Galveston, Texas
Common annual humidity: 76%
Common annual temperature: 72.3°F
Galveston, an oil-rich metropolis on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, is available in at quantity 5 on our record. Galveston sits alongside the low-lying barrier islands an hour from Houston. 32 miles of shoreline, the well-known Moody Gardens, iconic Galveston Pier, and nostalgic Historic District are just a few highlights.
Galveston’s humidity comes from the Gulf of Mexico, which additionally supplies loads of moisture for periodic, heavy rainfall and scorching, damp summers. Not too long ago, Galveston noticed its hottest August on report, capping off a two-month lengthy warmth wave and months of extended drought. The warmth index frequently surpasses 100°F, generally remaining there for over a day because of the humid air.
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6. Olympia, Washington
Common annual humidity: 76%
Common annual temperature: 50.5°F
The capital of Washington State and residential to the Evergreen State Faculty Geoducks, Olympia is the sixth-most humid metropolis within the nation. Olympia is understood for its slower tempo of life, out of doors recreation, breweries, and plenty of annual occasions.
Much like Juneau, Olympia is so humid due to its coastal location and delicate local weather. It’s typically wet and gloomy for over half the 12 months, though snow is uncommon. Summers are delicate and sunny. Town solely will get scorching just a few occasions a 12 months, however when it does, it could possibly really feel oppressive. Warmth waves have turn into extra widespread lately.
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7. Brownsville, Texas
Common annual humidity: 75%
Common annual temperature: 76.2°F
Positioned on the nice and cozy Gulf Coast just a few hundred miles from the Chihuahuan Desert, Brownsville experiences each scorching desert warmth and heat coastal humidity. These components assist the town see extraordinarily scorching summers and usually heat temperatures year-round. The Rio Grande Valley as a complete could be very scorching.
Like most of Texas, 2023 was exceptionally scorching. 2024 introduced warmth waves that pushed the warmth index close to 130°F, with excessive humidity maintaining in a single day warmth indices above 75°F, which is uncomfortable.
Brownsville is house to attractive seashores, wildlife viewing areas, and walkable state parks. The price of dwelling is inexpensive, too.
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8. Corpus Christi, Texas
Common annual humidity: 75%
Common annual temperature: 73.0°F
Corpus Christi is one other scorching Texas metropolis nestled alongside the Gulf of Mexico. Like different cities alongside the Gulf, warmth and humidity can mix to create dangerously heat situations. In the course of the months-long 2023 warmth wave, Corpus Christi logged a warmth index of 125°F – a report excessive. The variety of 100-degree days in Texas is projected to double by 2036 in comparison with what it was between 2001 and 2020.
Corpus Christi is a small, oil-rich metropolis however has a lot going for it. Residents love taking journeys to the close by Padre or Mustang Islands and feeling the nice and cozy, salty breeze. Out of doors fanatics take pleasure in kayaking within the Laguna Madre and fishing for contemporary seafood, or spending an evening out at one of many many eating places on the town.
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9. New Orleans, Louisiana
Common annual humidity: 75%
Common annual temperature: 70.5°F
The jewel of the Mississippi Delta, New Orleans is constructed alongside the crescent-shaped banks of the Mississippi River. Simply north of the Gulf of Mexico, temperatures are barely cooler than South Texas cities, however very excessive humidity can nonetheless make situations dangerously scorching. Temperatures hardly ever surpass 100°F, however once they do, the warmth index can soar previous 110°F.
New Orleans has lots going for it. It’s identified for its full of life French Quarter, charming Backyard District, and miles of scenic bayous. It additionally boasts world-class music, Creole delicacies, and well-known festivals like Mardi Gras that draw tens of millions to the town yearly.
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10. Victoria, Texas
Common annual humidity: 74.5%
Common annual temperature: 71.0°F
Victoria is located within the Golden Crescent of Texas between Corpus Christi and Galveston, about an hour from the Gulf of Mexico. Looking, fishing, and exploring the outside are a few of the hottest issues to do. You’ll discover loads of farms, historic buildings, and humanities alternatives, too. The area can also be well-known for its oil, however manufacturing has steeply dropped over the previous 30 years.
Victoria’s humidity and warmth come from the close by Gulf, however warmth waves can push temperatures a bit greater than cities on the water as a consequence of its extra inland location.
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The ten least humid cities within the U.S.
Many individuals take pleasure in drier climate, particularly in the summertime. If that is you, right here’s a listing of the least humid U.S. cities primarily based on common annual relative humidity:
Las Vegas, NV: 28%
Phoenix, AZ: 29.5%
Tucson, AZ: 34.5%
El Paso, TX: 35.5%
Albuquerque, NM: 41%
Roswell, NM: 45%
Grand Junction, CO: 46%
Denver, CO: 46.5%
Reno, NV: 47%
Colorado Springs, CO: 49%
What’s the most humid place within the nation?
The outright most humid place within the U.S. is St. Paul, Alaska. St. Paul has a median annual humidity of 86% – topping out at 93% in July. Most mornings have readings properly above 80%. St. Paul is the first settlement of Saint Paul Island, which is among the Pribilof Islands off the west coast of Alaska. Chilly Bay, positioned among the many Aleutian Islands to the south, is the second most-humid at 83.5%. Nevertheless, they’re a lot too small to make our record.
St. Paul is so humid as a result of it lies in the midst of the ocean, is much from the mainland, and is chilly year-round. Colder air holds much less moisture, so even a small quantity of water vapor can saturate the air and push up relative humidity. Low temperatures additionally imply low dew factors, although, so fortunately the city typically doesn’t really feel very humid.
How is humidity altering?
The world has been heating up quickly. Ending this previous July, there have been 14 straight months of record-breaking temperatures, and 2024 is on monitor to be the most well liked on report. This heat has had devastating penalties over the previous 12 months and a half within the type of warmth waves, flooding, drought, and extra.
Humidity can also be anticipated to rise as local weather change continues as a result of hotter air can maintain extra water. Hotter, extra humid air results in extraordinarily excessive warmth indices, which may turn into lethal to people. Warmth index extremes are rising a number of occasions quicker than air temperatures, too.
The very best warmth index within the U.S. reportedly occurred in Appleton, Wisconsin in 1995, when it reached 148°F. Notoriously scorching cities like Phoenix are too dry to generate excessive warmth indices. The very best warmth indices on the planet have occurred close to the Persian Gulf, together with in Iran (180°F) and Saudi Arabia (178°F).
As world warming accelerates, analysis signifies that rising humidity, paired with greater temperatures, will make many places more and more uncomfortable and even uninhabitable by 2100. Almost 30% of the world’s inhabitants is uncovered to lethal warmth in the present day. With out intervention, that share will rise to just about 50%. Cities nearer to the equator are house to the best variety of folks liable to lethal warmth.
Methodology
This record incorporates annual relative humidity knowledge for cities with over 20,000 residents. A metropolis’s annual common was calculated by averaging the annual morning and afternoon humidity averages right into a single quantity. Comparative Climatic Knowledge was obtained from a 2023 overview by the Nationwide Facilities for Environmental Info (NCEI) and its mum or dad administration, the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).