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When to go · United States

United States, month by month

The best months for United States: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct.

Month by month

  1. JanuaryMixedCold and snowy north and in the mountains; Florida, Hawaii and the desert Southwest are the picks.Northeast: cool · Southeast and Florida: best weather · Gulf and Deep South: fineCrowds: Low · 4 festivals or holidays
  2. FebruaryMixedStill winter north; ski season in the Rockies; Presidents' Day weekend busy. Mardi Gras in New Orleans (date varies).Northeast: cool · Southeast and Florida: best weather · Gulf and Deep South: fineCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
  3. MarchGoodSpring break fills Florida beaches and parks; the desert parks come into season.Northeast: cool · Southeast and Florida: best weather · Gulf and Deep South: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
  4. AprilGreatGood month for the Southwest, Washington cherry blossoms, the South; mountain roads still closed.Northeast: fine · Southeast and Florida: best weather · Gulf and Deep South: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
  5. MayGreatWarm and green; Memorial Day (last Monday) opens the summer season; timed-entry systems start at some parks.Northeast: best weather · Southeast and Florida: fine · Gulf and Deep South: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
  6. JuneGreatRockies and northern parks open; desert heat builds; hurricane season starts. Book parks months ahead.Northeast: best weather · Southeast and Florida: rainy · Gulf and Deep South: hotCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
  7. JulyMixedPeak season: parks full, 4 July crowds, 40 °C (104 °F)+ in the desert, humid East. Alaska and the Pacific Northwest are at their best.Northeast: hot · Southeast and Florida: hot · Gulf and Deep South: hotCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
  8. AugustMixedHot and busy; wildfire smoke in the West, hurricane peak begins in the Southeast.Northeast: hot · Southeast and Florida: storm or typhoon risk · Gulf and Deep South: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: High
  9. SeptemberGreatAfter Labor Day the crowds drop and parks stay open; Florida and the Gulf are at hurricane peak.Northeast: best weather · Southeast and Florida: storm or typhoon risk · Gulf and Deep South: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
  10. OctoberGreatBest all-round month: New England foliage, desert parks, cooler cities. High roads start closing late in the month.Northeast: best weather · Southeast and Florida: storm or typhoon risk · Gulf and Deep South: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
  11. NovemberMixedQuiet between holidays; Thanksgiving week is the busiest travel period of the year.Northeast: fine · Southeast and Florida: best weather · Gulf and Deep South: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 4 festivals or holidays
  12. DecemberMixedHoliday lights in New York, ski season opens; flights and hotels peak around Christmas and New Year.Northeast: cool · Southeast and Florida: best weather · Gulf and Deep South: fineCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in United States, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Apr: Great

    May: Great

  • Crowds

    Apr: Medium

    May: Medium

  • Prices

    Apr: Medium

    May: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Apr: 1

    May: 1

April: Good month for the Southwest, Washington cherry blossoms, the South; mountain roads still closed.

May: Warm and green; Memorial Day (last Monday) opens the summer season; timed-entry systems start at some parks.

United States: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

Weather by region

How each climate zone rates each month.

Weather rating by region and month
RegionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
NortheastNew York, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, MaineCoolCoolCoolOKBestBestHotHotBestBestOKCool
Southeast and FloridaMiami, Orlando, the Keys, Savannah, CharlestonBestBestBestBestOKWetHotStormStormStormBestBest
Gulf and Deep SouthNew Orleans, Houston, Nashville, AtlantaOKOKBestBestBestHotHotStormStormBestBestOK
Midwest and Great LakesChicago, Detroit, MinneapolisCoolCoolCoolOKBestBestBestBestBestBestCoolCool
Rockies and national parksYellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, DenverCoolCoolCoolCoolOKBestBestBestBestOKCoolCool
Desert SouthwestLas Vegas, Phoenix, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Death ValleyOKOKBestBestBestHotHotHotOKBestBestOK
California coastSan Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Big SurOKWetOKBestBestOKBestBestBestBestBestOK
Pacific NorthwestSeattle, Portland, Olympic, Mount RainierWetWetWetWetOKOKBestBestBestWetWetWet
AlaskaAnchorage, Denali, Kenai, Inside PassageCoolCoolCoolCoolOKBestBestBestOKCoolCoolCool
HawaiiOʻahu, Maui, Big Island, KauaʻiOKOKOKBestBestBestBestBestBestBestOKOK