The U.S. state of Connecticut is bordered on the south by Long Island Sound, on the west by New York, on the north by Massachusetts, and on the east by Rhode Island. The state capital and fourth largest city is Hartford, and other major cities and towns (by population) include Bridgeport, New Haven, Stamford, Waterbury, Norwalk, Danbury, New Britain, Greenwich, and Bristol. There are 169 incorporated towns in Connecticut, with cities and villages included within some towns. [1]
The highest peak in Connecticut is Bear Mountain in Salisbury in the northwest corner of the state. The highest point is just east of where Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York meet (42°3′ N, 73°29′ W), on the southern slope of Mount Frissell, whose peak lies nearby in Massachusetts. [2] At the opposite extreme, many of the coastal towns have areas that are less than 20 feet (6 m) above sea level.
Connecticut has a long maritime history and a reputation based on that history—yet the state has no direct oceanfront (technically speaking). The coast of Connecticut sits on Long Island Sound, which is an estuary. The state's access to the open Atlantic Ocean is both to the west (toward New York City) and to the east (toward the "race" near Rhode Island). Due to this unique geography, Long Island Sound and the Connecticut shoreline are relatively protected from high waves from storms. [3]
The Connecticut River cuts through the center of the state, flowing into Long Island Sound. The most populous metropolitan region centered within the state lies in the Connecticut River Valley. Despite Connecticut's relatively small size, it features wide regional variations in its landscape; for example, in the northwestern Litchfield Hills, it features rolling mountains and horse farms, whereas in areas to the east of New Haven along the coast, the landscape features coastal marshes, beaches, and large scale maritime activities.
Connecticut's rural areas and small towns in the northeast and northwest corners of the state contrast sharply with its industrial cities such as Stamford, Bridgeport, and New Haven, located along the coastal highways from the New York border to New London, then northward up the Connecticut River to Hartford. Many towns in northeastern and northwestern Connecticut center around a green. Near the green typically stand historical visual symbols of New England towns, such as a white church, a colonial meeting house, a colonial tavern or inn, several colonial houses, and so on, establishing a scenic historical appearance maintained for both historic preservation and tourism. Many of the areas in southern and coastal Connecticut have been built up and rebuilt over the years, and look less visually like traditional New England.
The northern boundary of the state with Massachusetts is marked by the Southwick Jog or Granby Notch, an approximately 2.5 miles (4.0 km) square detour into Connecticut. The origin of this anomaly is clearly established in a long line of disputes and temporary agreements which were finally concluded in 1804, when southern Southwick's residents sought to leave Massachusetts, and the town was split in half. [4] [5]
The southwestern border of Connecticut where it abuts New York State is marked by a panhandle in Fairfield County, containing the towns of Greenwich, Stamford, New Canaan, Darien, and parts of Norwalk and Wilton. This irregularity in the boundary is the result of territorial disputes in the late 17th century, culminating with New York giving up its claim to the area, whose residents considered themselves part of Connecticut, in exchange for an equivalent area extending northwards from Ridgefield to the Massachusetts border, as well as undisputed claim to Rye, New York. [6]
Areas maintained by the National Park Service include Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor, and Weir Farm National Historic Site. [7]
Connecticut lies at the rough transition zone between the southern end of the humid continental climate, and the northern portion of the humid subtropical climate. Northern Connecticut generally experiences a climate with cold winters with moderate snowfall and hot, humid summers. Far southern and coastal Connecticut has a climate with cool winters with a mix of rain and infrequent snow, and the long hot and humid summers typical of the middle and lower East Coast.
Connecticut sees a fairly even precipitation pattern with rainfall/snowfall spread throughout the 12 months. [8] Connecticut averages 56% of possible sunshine (higher than the U.S. national average), averaging 2,400 hours of sunshine annually. [9] On average, about one third of days in the state see some amount of precipitation each year. [8] Occasionally, some months may see extremes in precipitation, either much higher or lower than normal. There have been several floods throughout Connecticut's history.
Early spring can range from slightly cool (40s to low 50s F) to warm (65 to 70 F), while mid and late spring (late April/May) is warm. By late May, the building Bermuda High creates a southerly flow of warm and humid tropical air, bringing hot weather conditions throughout the state. Average highs are 81 °F (27 °C) in New London and 85 °F (29 °C) in Windsor Locks at the peak of summer in late July. On occasion, heat waves with highs from 90 to 100 °F (38 °C) occur across Connecticut. Connecticut's record high temperature is 106 °F (41 °C) which occurred in Danbury on July 15, 1995. [8] [10] [11] [12] Although summers are sunny in Connecticut, quick moving summer thunderstorms can bring brief downpours with thunder and lightning. Occasionally these thunderstorms can be severe, and the state usually averages one tornado per year. [13] During hurricane season, the remains of tropical cyclones occasionally affect the region, though a direct hit is rare. Some notable hurricanes to impact the state include the 1938 New England hurricane, Hurricane Carol in 1954, Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and Hurricane Isaias in 2020. [14] [15]
Weather commonly associated with the fall season typically begins in October and lasts to the first days of December. Daily high temperatures in October and November range from the 50s to 60s (Fahrenheit) with nights in the 40s and upper 30s. Colorful foliage begins across northern parts of the state in early October and moves south and east reaching southeast Connecticut by early November. Far southern and coastal areas, however, have more oak and hickory trees (and fewer maples) and are often less colorful than areas to the north. By December daytime highs are in the 40s °F for much of the state, and average overnight lows are below freezing.
Winters (December through mid-March) are generally cold from south to north in Connecticut. The coldest month (January) has average high temperatures ranging from 38 °F (3 °C) in the coastal lowlands to 33 °F (1 °C) in the inland and northern portions on the state. The lowest temperature recorded in Connecticut is −32 °F (−36 °C) which has been observed twice: in Falls Village on February 16, 1943, and in Coventry on January 22, 1961. [12] The average yearly snowfall ranges from about 60 inches (1,500 mm) in the higher elevations of the northern portion of the state to only 20–25 inches (510–640 mm) along the southeast coast of Connecticut (Branford to Groton). Generally, any locale north or west of Interstate 84 receives the most snow, during a storm, and throughout the season. Most of Connecticut has less than 60 days of snow cover. Snow usually falls from late November to late March in the northern part of the state, and from early December to mid-March in the southern and coastal parts of the state. During winter, on occasion Connecticut is subject to snowstorms which can bring one to two feet of snow on rare occasion, or heavy rain and tidal flooding. At times there has been some damage along the coast. [8] [16] Ice storms also occur on occasion, such as the Southern New England ice storm of 1973 and the December 2008 Northeastern United States ice storm. These storms can cause widespread power outages and damage.
| Monthly normal high and low temperatures for various Connecticut cities (°F) | ||||||||||||
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | 38/24 | 40/25 | 47/32 | 58/41 | 68/51 | 77/61 | 83/67 | 81/67 | 75/59 | 64/48 | 53/38 | 43/30 |
| Hartford | 35/18 | 38/20 | 47/28 | 60/38 | 71/48 | 79/57 | 85/63 | 83/61 | 75/53 | 63/42 | 51/33 | 40/24 |
| [17] [18] | ||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record high °F (°C) | 72 (22) | 77 (25) | 89 (32) | 96 (36) | 99 (37) | 100 (38) | 103 (39) | 102 (39) | 101 (38) | 91 (33) | 83 (28) | 76 (24) | 103 (39) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 57.0 (13.9) | 57.7 (14.3) | 68.2 (20.1) | 82.3 (27.9) | 90.4 (32.4) | 93.2 (34.0) | 95.9 (35.5) | 94.2 (34.6) | 89.6 (32.0) | 80.2 (26.8) | 70.6 (21.4) | 60.1 (15.6) | 97.7 (36.5) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 35.8 (2.1) | 38.5 (3.6) | 47.3 (8.5) | 60.5 (15.8) | 71.7 (22.1) | 79.9 (26.6) | 85.2 (29.6) | 83.3 (28.5) | 75.7 (24.3) | 63.5 (17.5) | 51.5 (10.8) | 40.6 (4.8) | 61.1 (16.2) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 27.1 (−2.7) | 29.6 (−1.3) | 37.8 (3.2) | 49.5 (9.7) | 60.0 (15.6) | 68.9 (20.5) | 74.3 (23.5) | 72.5 (22.5) | 64.8 (18.2) | 53.0 (11.7) | 42.3 (5.7) | 32.6 (0.3) | 51.0 (10.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 18.8 (−7.3) | 20.7 (−6.3) | 28.2 (−2.1) | 38.4 (3.6) | 48.4 (9.1) | 57.8 (14.3) | 63.4 (17.4) | 61.7 (16.5) | 53.8 (12.1) | 42.4 (5.8) | 33.0 (0.6) | 24.6 (−4.1) | 40.9 (4.9) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −0.9 (−18.3) | 1.9 (−16.7) | 11.4 (−11.4) | 26.3 (−3.2) | 34.7 (1.5) | 44.9 (7.2) | 53.0 (11.7) | 50.1 (10.1) | 38.5 (3.6) | 27.7 (−2.4) | 17.7 (−7.9) | 7.7 (−13.5) | −3.4 (−19.7) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −26 (−32) | −24 (−31) | −6 (−21) | 9 (−13) | 28 (−2) | 37 (3) | 44 (7) | 36 (2) | 30 (−1) | 17 (−8) | 1 (−17) | −18 (−28) | −26 (−32) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.28 (83) | 3.13 (80) | 3.81 (97) | 3.88 (99) | 3.79 (96) | 4.28 (109) | 4.17 (106) | 4.21 (107) | 4.39 (112) | 4.52 (115) | 3.51 (89) | 4.08 (104) | 47.05 (1,195) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 14.2 (36) | 14.8 (38) | 9.4 (24) | 1.1 (2.8) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.7 (1.8) | 1.4 (3.6) | 10.1 (26) | 51.7 (131) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 10.9 | 10.5 | 11.2 | 11.5 | 12.3 | 11.8 | 10.7 | 10.4 | 9.2 | 10.5 | 9.9 | 11.5 | 130.4 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 6.1 | 6.2 | 3.8 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 4.5 | 22.3 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 63.9 | 63.0 | 60.4 | 58.0 | 63.0 | 67.3 | 68.0 | 70.6 | 72.9 | 69.2 | 68.3 | 68.0 | 66.1 |
| Average dew point °F (°C) | 13.6 (−10.2) | 15.8 (−9.0) | 23.4 (−4.8) | 32.4 (0.2) | 45.0 (7.2) | 55.6 (13.1) | 61.0 (16.1) | 60.1 (15.6) | 53.1 (11.7) | 40.8 (4.9) | 31.3 (−0.4) | 19.8 (−6.8) | 37.7 (3.1) |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 169.8 | 176.1 | 213.9 | 228.2 | 258.6 | 273.4 | 293.1 | 269.6 | 223.6 | 199.4 | 139.4 | 139.5 | 2,584.6 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 58 | 59 | 58 | 57 | 57 | 60 | 64 | 63 | 60 | 58 | 47 | 49 | 58 |
| Average ultraviolet index | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Source 1: NOAA (relative humidity, dew point, and sun 1961–1990) [20] [21] [22] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Weather Atlas (UV) [23] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Bridgeport, Connecticut (Sikorsky Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1948–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 69 (21) | 67 (19) | 84 (29) | 91 (33) | 97 (36) | 97 (36) | 103 (39) | 100 (38) | 99 (37) | 89 (32) | 78 (26) | 76 (24) | 103 (39) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 57 (14) | 55 (13) | 65 (18) | 76 (24) | 85 (29) | 91 (33) | 94 (34) | 92 (33) | 86 (30) | 78 (26) | 68 (20) | 60 (16) | 95 (35) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 38.4 (3.6) | 40.5 (4.7) | 47.4 (8.6) | 58.3 (14.6) | 68.4 (20.2) | 77.7 (25.4) | 83.4 (28.6) | 81.9 (27.7) | 75.4 (24.1) | 64.4 (18.0) | 53.6 (12.0) | 43.8 (6.6) | 61.1 (16.2) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 31.4 (−0.3) | 33.1 (0.6) | 39.3 (4.1) | 50.0 (10.0) | 60.0 (15.6) | 69.6 (20.9) | 75.7 (24.3) | 74.5 (23.6) | 67.6 (19.8) | 56.4 (13.6) | 46.0 (7.8) | 37.0 (2.8) | 53.4 (11.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 24.4 (−4.2) | 25.7 (−3.5) | 32.3 (0.2) | 41.7 (5.4) | 51.7 (10.9) | 61.5 (16.4) | 67.9 (19.9) | 67.0 (19.4) | 59.8 (15.4) | 48.3 (9.1) | 38.4 (3.6) | 30.2 (−1.0) | 45.7 (7.6) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 7 (−14) | 10 (−12) | 18 (−8) | 30 (−1) | 41 (5) | 50 (10) | 59 (15) | 57 (14) | 46 (8) | 34 (1) | 24 (−4) | 16 (−9) | 5 (−15) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −7 (−22) | −6 (−21) | 4 (−16) | 18 (−8) | 31 (−1) | 41 (5) | 49 (9) | 44 (7) | 36 (2) | 26 (−3) | 13 (−11) | −4 (−20) | −7 (−22) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.18 (81) | 3.12 (79) | 4.09 (104) | 4.16 (106) | 3.58 (91) | 3.77 (96) | 3.32 (84) | 3.98 (101) | 3.96 (101) | 3.84 (98) | 3.11 (79) | 3.98 (101) | 44.09 (1,121) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 8.5 (22) | 10.7 (27) | 7.0 (18) | 0.9 (2.3) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.9 (2.3) | 5.5 (14) | 33.6 (85) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 11.2 | 10.4 | 11.2 | 11.4 | 12.1 | 11.2 | 8.9 | 9.2 | 8.2 | 9.9 | 9.4 | 11.5 | 124.7 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 4.5 | 4.2 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 2.9 | 14.8 |
| Source: NOAA [24] [25] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for New Haven (HVN), elevation: 4 m or 13 ft, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1948–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 69 (21) | 67 (19) | 77 (25) | 87 (31) | 92 (33) | 96 (36) | 101 (38) | 100 (38) | 92 (33) | 89 (32) | 76 (24) | 65 (18) | 101 (38) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 56 (13) | 55 (13) | 64 (18) | 77 (25) | 83 (28) | 88 (31) | 91 (33) | 90 (32) | 86 (30) | 78 (26) | 68 (20) | 59 (15) | 92 (33) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 38.1 (3.4) | 40.2 (4.6) | 47.0 (8.3) | 57.8 (14.3) | 67.7 (19.8) | 76.4 (24.7) | 82.1 (27.8) | 81.0 (27.2) | 74.7 (23.7) | 63.8 (17.7) | 53.4 (11.9) | 43.7 (6.5) | 60.5 (15.8) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 30.5 (−0.8) | 32.0 (0.0) | 38.5 (3.6) | 48.5 (9.2) | 58.5 (14.7) | 67.9 (19.9) | 73.9 (23.3) | 72.9 (22.7) | 66.0 (18.9) | 54.7 (12.6) | 44.7 (7.1) | 36.3 (2.4) | 52.0 (11.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 23.0 (−5.0) | 23.9 (−4.5) | 30.1 (−1.1) | 39.3 (4.1) | 49.4 (9.7) | 59.3 (15.2) | 65.7 (18.7) | 64.7 (18.2) | 57.3 (14.1) | 45.5 (7.5) | 35.9 (2.2) | 28.9 (−1.7) | 43.9 (6.6) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 5 (−15) | 9 (−13) | 16 (−9) | 27 (−3) | 38 (3) | 48 (9) | 57 (14) | 54 (12) | 45 (7) | 31 (−1) | 22 (−6) | 15 (−9) | 3 (−16) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −8 (−22) | −6 (−21) | 1 (−17) | 17 (−8) | 30 (−1) | 40 (4) | 50 (10) | 43 (6) | 34 (1) | 23 (−5) | 13 (−11) | −3 (−19) | −8 (−22) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.72 (69) | 2.84 (72) | 3.66 (93) | 4.19 (106) | 3.54 (90) | 3.47 (88) | 3.36 (85) | 3.55 (90) | 4.03 (102) | 3.78 (96) | 3.12 (79) | 3.53 (90) | 41.79 (1,061) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 9.5 | 8.5 | 9.6 | 10.9 | 12.9 | 11.8 | 10.4 | 9.9 | 9.3 | 11.1 | 9.4 | 11.0 | 124.3 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 62.8 | 60.3 | 64.4 | 65.1 | 69.7 | 73.8 | 74.2 | 73.8 | 74.1 | 70.4 | 68.2 | 63.6 | 68.4 |
| Average ultraviolet index | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Source 1: NOAA [26] [27] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Weatherbase (humidity), [28] Weather Atlas (UV index) [29] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Stamford (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1955–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 69 (21) | 74 (23) | 85 (29) | 96 (36) | 97 (36) | 97 (36) | 102 (39) | 104 (40) | 97 (36) | 91 (33) | 82 (28) | 76 (24) | 104 (40) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 38.0 (3.3) | 41.4 (5.2) | 49.1 (9.5) | 62.0 (16.7) | 72.3 (22.4) | 79.8 (26.6) | 84.8 (29.3) | 82.9 (28.3) | 75.7 (24.3) | 64.4 (18.0) | 53.1 (11.7) | 42.7 (5.9) | 62.2 (16.8) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 30.1 (−1.1) | 32.2 (0.1) | 39.8 (4.3) | 51.1 (10.6) | 61.1 (16.2) | 69.2 (20.7) | 74.6 (23.7) | 73.0 (22.8) | 66.0 (18.9) | 54.5 (12.5) | 44.1 (6.7) | 35.0 (1.7) | 52.6 (11.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 22.2 (−5.4) | 23.1 (−4.9) | 30.4 (−0.9) | 40.3 (4.6) | 50.0 (10.0) | 58.5 (14.7) | 64.4 (18.0) | 63.1 (17.3) | 56.2 (13.4) | 44.6 (7.0) | 35.1 (1.7) | 27.3 (−2.6) | 42.9 (6.1) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −18 (−28) | −15 (−26) | −6 (−21) | 16 (−9) | 28 (−2) | 35 (2) | 43 (6) | 37 (3) | 28 (−2) | 16 (−9) | 7 (−14) | −13 (−25) | −18 (−28) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 4.26 (108) | 3.14 (80) | 4.73 (120) | 4.44 (113) | 4.12 (105) | 4.91 (125) | 3.77 (96) | 3.81 (97) | 5.21 (132) | 4.59 (117) | 4.19 (106) | 4.44 (113) | 51.61 (1,311) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 9.1 (23) | 11.9 (30) | 5.9 (15) | 0.5 (1.3) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.8 (2.0) | 5.8 (15) | 34.0 (86) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 11.0 | 8.3 | 10.1 | 12.0 | 12.4 | 11.6 | 9.2 | 8.7 | 9.1 | 9.9 | 10.2 | 11.4 | 123.9 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 4.8 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 15.1 |
| Source 1: NOAA [30] [31] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Weather Channel [32] | |||||||||||||
Forests consist of a mix of Northeastern coastal forests of Oak in southern areas of the state, to the upland New England-Acadian forests in the northwestern parts of the state. Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is the state flower and is native to low ridges in several parts of Connecticut. Rosebay Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) is also native to eastern uplands of Connecticut and Pachaug State Forest is home to the Rhododendron Sanctuary Trail. Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides), is found in wetlands in the southern parts of the state. Connecticut has one native cactus (Opuntia humifusa), found in sandy coastal areas and low hillsides. Several types of beach grasses and wildflowers are also native to Connecticut. [33] Connecticut spans USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5b to 7a. Coastal Connecticut is the broad transition zone where more southern and subtropical plants are cultivated. In some coastal communities, Magnolia grandiflora (southern magnolia), Crape Myrtles, scrub palms (Sabal minor), Needle Palms (Rhapidophyllum hystrix), and other broadleaved evergreens are cultivated in small numbers.[ citation needed ]
| Rank | Name | County | Pop. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bridgeport  Stamford | 1 | Bridgeport | Fairfield | 148,654 |  New Haven  Hartford | ||||
| 2 | Stamford | Fairfield | 135,470 | ||||||
| 3 | New Haven | New Haven | 134,023 | ||||||
| 4 | Hartford | Hartford | 121,054 | ||||||
| 5 | Waterbury | New Haven | 114,403 | ||||||
| 6 | Norwalk | Fairfield | 91,184 | ||||||
| 7 | Danbury | Fairfield | 86,518 | ||||||
| 8 | New Britain | Hartford | 74,135 | ||||||
| 9 | West Hartford | Hartford | 64,083 | ||||||
| 10 | Greenwich | Fairfield | 63,518 | ||||||
Missouri generally has a variety of seasonal humid subtropical climate, with cool winters and long, hot summers. In the southern part of the state, particularly in the Bootheel, the climate borders on a more mild-type humid subtropical climate, and in the northern third, the state transitions into a humid continental climate. Because of its location in the interior United States, Missouri often experiences extremes in temperatures. Lacking either large mountains or oceans nearby to moderate its temperature, its climate is alternately influenced by air from the cold Arctic and the hot and humid Gulf of Mexico.
The climate of Virginia, a state on the east coast of the United States, is considered mild compared to more northern areas of the United States such as New England and the Midwest. Most of Virginia east of the Blue Ridge mountains, the southern part of the Shenandoah Valley, and the Roanoke Valley, has a humid subtropical climate. In the mountainous areas west of the Blue Ridge, the climate is warm-summer humid continental or oceanic climate. Severe weather, in the form of tornadoes, tropical cyclones, and winter storms, impacts the state on a regular basis. Central Virginia received significant snowfall of 20 inches in December 2009.
The climate of Puerto Rico in the Köppen climate classification is predominantly tropical rainforest. Temperatures throughout the year are warm to hot, averaging near 85 °F (29 °C) in lower elevations and 70 °F (21 °C) in the mountains. Easterly trade winds pass across the island year round while the rainy season stretches from April into November. The relatively cool trade winds are blocked by the mountains of the Cordillera Central which causes rain shadows and sharp variations in the temperature and wind speed over short distances. About a quarter of the average annual rainfall for Puerto Rico occurs during tropical cyclones, which are more frequent during La Niña years.
The climate of California varies widely from hot desert to alpine tundra, depending on latitude, elevation, and proximity to the Pacific Coast. California's coastal regions, the Sierra Nevada foothills, and much of the Central Valley have a Mediterranean climate, with warmer, drier weather in summer and cooler, wetter weather in winter. The influence of the ocean generally moderates temperature extremes, creating warmer winters and substantially cooler summers in coastal areas.
The climate of San Diego, California is classified as a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. The basic climate features hot, sunny, and dry summers, and cooler, wetter winters. However, San Diego is much more arid than typical Mediterranean climates, and winters are still dry compared with most other zones with this type of climate. The climate at San Diego International Airport, the location for official weather reports for San Diego, as well as the climate at most beach areas, straddles the border between BSh and BSk due to the mild winters and cool summers in these locations.
North Dakota's climate is typical of a continental climate with cold winters and warm-hot summers. The state's location in the Upper Midwest allows it to experience some of the widest variety of weather in the United States, and each of the four seasons has its own distinct characteristics. The eastern half of the state has a humid continental climate with warm to hot, somewhat humid summers and cold, windy winters, while the western half has a semi-arid climate with less precipitation and less humidity but similar temperature profiles. The areas east of the Missouri River get slightly colder winters, while those west of the stream get higher summer daytime temperatures. In general, the diurnal temperature difference is prone to be more significant in the west due to higher elevation and less humidity.
The climate of Georgia is a humid subtropical climate, with most of the state having short, mild winters and long, hot summers. The Atlantic Ocean on the east coast of Georgia and the hill country in the north impact the state's climate. Also, the Chattahoochee River divides Georgia into separate climatic regions with the mountain region to the northwest being cooler than the rest of the state; the average temperatures for the mountain region in January and July are 39 °F (4 °C) and 78 °F (26 °C) respectively. Winter in Georgia is characterized by mild temperatures and little snowfall around the state, with the potential for snow and ice increasing in the northern parts of the state. Summer daytime temperatures in Georgia often exceed 95 °F (35 °C). The state experiences widespread precipitation. Tornadoes and tropical cyclones are common.
North Carolina's climate varies from the Atlantic coast in the east to the Appalachian Mountain range in the west. The mountains often act as a "shield", blocking low temperatures and storms from the Midwest from entering the Piedmont of North Carolina.
The climate of Pennsylvania is diverse due to the multitude of geographic features found within the state. Straddling two major climate zones, the southeastern corner of Pennsylvania has the warmest climate. A portion of Greater Philadelphia lies at the southernmost tip of the humid continental climate zone, with the city proper being in the humid subtropical climate zone. Still, Philadelphia features colder, snowier winters than most locations with a humid subtropical climate. Moving west toward the mountainous interior of the state, the climate becomes markedly colder, the number of cloudy days increases, and winter snowfall amounts are greater.
South Carolina has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers throughout most of the state. But, an exception does occur in the Blue Ridge Mountains, as outlier pockets of an Oceanic Climate do exist. Mild winters predominate in the eastern and southern part of the state, but cool to occasionally cold winters are the standard in the northwestern area of the state, especially areas at or above 600 feet in elevation. On average, between 40 and 80 inches of precipitation falls annually across the state, potentially even in excess of 100 inches in portions of the Appalachian temperate rainforest. Tropical cyclones, and afternoon thunderstorms due to hot and humid conditions, contribute to precipitation during the summer and sometimes fall months, while extratropical cyclones contribute to precipitation during the fall, winter, and spring months. The coast experiences nearly all of their tropical weather impacts from storms coming directly from the Atlantic coast. The northwestern area of the state can receive impacts from both Atlantic basin storms moving westward from the coast and also occasionally very heavy rainfall and flooding from storms originating from the Gulf of Mexico that move inland towards the northeast after making landfall from the Florida Panhandle to Louisiana.
Michigan consists of two peninsulas surrounded primarily by four of the Great Lakes and a variety of nearby islands. The Upper Peninsula is bounded on the southwest by Wisconsin, and the Lower Peninsula is bounded on the south by Indiana and Ohio. Both land masses are also separated from the Canadian province of Ontario by waterways of the Great Lakes, and from each other by the Straits of Mackinac. Because its land is largely surrounded by the Great Lakes, which flow into the Saint Lawrence River, Michigan is the only U.S. state whose streams and rivers are almost entirely within the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence watershed.
The U.S. state of Vermont is located in the New England region of the northeastern United States and comprises 9,614 square miles (24,900 km2), making it the 45th-largest state. It is the only state that does not have any buildings taller than 124 feet (38 m). Land comprises 9,250 square miles (24,000 km2) and water comprises 365 square miles (950 km2), making it the 43rd-largest in land area and the 47th in water area. In total area, it is larger than El Salvador and smaller than Haiti. It is the only landlocked state in New England, and it is the easternmost and the smallest in area of all landlocked states.
The climate of New York (state) is generally humid continental, while the extreme southeastern portion of the state lies in the warmer humid subtropical climate zone. Winter temperatures average below freezing during January and February in much of the state of New York, but several degrees above freezing along the Atlantic coastline, including New York City.
The climate of Massachusetts is mainly a humid continental climate, with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters and abundant precipitation. Massachusetts is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. Most of its population of 7.0 million live in the Boston metropolitan area. The eastern half of this relatively small state is mostly urban and suburban. Massachusetts is the most populous of the six New England states and ranks third in the nation by population density and fourth by GDP per capita. Massachusetts receives about 43 inches or 1,090 millimetres of rain annually, fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, slightly wetter during the winter. Summers are warm with average high temperatures in July above 80 °F or 26.7 °C and overnight lows above 60 °F or 15.6 °C common throughout the state. Winters are cold, but generally less extreme on the coast with high temperatures in the winter averaging above freezing even in January, although areas further inland are much colder. The state does have extreme temperatures from time to time with 100 °F or 37.8 °C in the summer and temperatures below 0 °F or −17.8 °C in the winter not being unusual.
The climate of Los Angeles is mild to hot year-round, and mostly dry. It is classified as a Mediterranean climate, which is a type of subtropical climate. It is characterized by seasonal changes in rainfall—with a dry summer and a winter rainy season. Under the Köppen climate classification, the coastal areas are classified as Csb, and the inland areas as Csa.
The climate of Miami is classified as having a tropical monsoon climate with hot and humid summers; short, warm winters; and a marked drier season in the winter. Its sea-level elevation, coastal location, position just above the Tropic of Cancer, and proximity to the Gulf Stream shape its climate.
The climate of New Jersey classification of the U.S. state of New Jersey is humid subtropical in South Jersey with a humid continental climate in North Jersey, particularly in the northwestern area of the state. The northwest part of New Jersey is the snowiest due to the higher elevations that earn it a Dfb classification. During the winters, New Jersey can experience Nor'easters, which are snowstorms that affect the Northeastern United States, and Atlantic Canada. However, many would-be snow events in the state end up turning to rain due to warm ocean air being brought in by the storm. New Jersey's climate is shaped by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean which provides moisture and moderates temperatures. According to climatology research by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, New Jersey has been the fastest-warming state by average air temperature over a 100-year period beginning in the early 20th century, related to global warming.
The climate of New England varies greatly across its 500-mile (800 km) span from northern Maine to southern Connecticut.
According to the Köppen climate classification, the climate of New York City is humid subtropical (Cfa), with parts of the city transitioning into a humid continental climate. (Dfa). This gives the city moderately cold, somewhat wet and snowy winters; and hot, humid summers with plentiful rainfall all year round. Also, New York's enormous population, human activity, and vast amounts of large buildings and streets, which absorb sunlight during the day, contribute significantly to urban heat. Were it not for this phenomenon, its climate would probably be within the humid continental temperature range.
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