The super-sized nature of a country straddling six time zones means you’re dealing with a permanent moveable mega-feast in terms of weather conditions and ideal travel windows for the United States. The good news, however, is that this makes the country a year-round destination. Whichever time of year you want to travel, America has something for you.
As a general rule there are warm days across the United States from June to August, but it can get a little too hot for comfort in southern states such as Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Florida where temperatures can reach 40C and even 45C. Aim for summer on the east and west coasts, but off peak seasons in the south.
Is summer always the most expensive time to travel?
The summer months are usually the most expensive, but most American schools have returned by mid-August, so there are often good deals to be had at the tail end of the British school holidays. Many of the southern states (particularly Florida and Texas) have summer-style weather well into October, and holidays are considerably cheaper if you avoid late June to early August.
When is the cheapest month to travel?
Traditionally, it’s February — slap bang in the middle of low season. This is also the time of year (after “holiday season” from Halloween to New Year’s Day) when Americans don’t like to travel, so you can get discounted rates for flights and hotels. The exception, of course, are the ski resorts in states such as Colorado, Wyoming and Vermont.
When is shoulder season?
As with many countries, off-peak “shoulder season” tends to be April-May and September-October. Happily, these are often the best times of year for outdoor activities, particularly in national parks such as the Grand Canyon and Utah’s Mighty Five (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Capitol Reef and Canyonlands) — all of which are in areas of natural desert and can get ridiculously hot during the summer.
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Is there a hurricane season?
It technically runs from June to November (peaking in August and September), but tornadoes (or “twisters”) are actually extremely rare and if they’re going to make landfall there will be plenty of warning. The states most affected are those around the Gulf of Mexico, particularly Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, where humidity is extremely high, making for perfect thunderstorm conditions. There is nothing for holidaymakers to be scared of, but when choosing which year to visit, it is wise to check travel advice before booking in hurricane season. You should also ensure that your hotel allows penalty-free cancellation of reservations if a hurricane is predicted. (Check conditions on the National Weather Service’s Hurricane Awareness site).
When is the best time of year to visit New York?
April to June and September to early November tend to be the best months, when the weather is pleasant but the tourist numbers aren’t quite as manic. Winter can be brutal, weather-wise. In October and November, New York can also be a fantastic launching pad for a visit to neighbouring New England, where the fiery autumnal leaves have become an attraction. Many of New England’s prime destinations are an easy train ride out of New York’s Grand Central Station.
Sunshine and rainfall
Understandably, weather conditions vary dramatically across this mega-country, with tropical states such as Hawaii and Florida having very little in common, meteorologically speaking, with the northern plains of Montana and Wyoming. Across the country as a whole, however, the hottest month is always August, with an average temperature of 26.4C, and the wettest month is always June, with an average rainfall of 28.2cm.
Key dates for your calendar
February
Depending on where Easter falls in the calendar, Mardi Gras is held in late February or early March, and marks the traditional start of Lent. The festival is a big deal in many US cities, but nowhere more so than New Orleans, where the celebrations range from colourful parades to boozy street parties and masquerade balls. The party downtown centres on Frenchmen and Bourbon streets in the French Quarter, with the prime spots being the second-floor balconies and terraces overlooking the heaving, hedonistic throng.
March
Americans go for St Patrick’s Day harder than anywhere else in the world — with the possible exception of Ireland. On March 17 — or the nearest Saturday — the patron saint of Ireland is honoured with brass bands, ever-flowing pints of Guinness and plentiful green attire, beads and face paint. There are parades in New York, Boston and Chicago (where the river is dyed green for the occasion), while celebrations in the southern states include large crawfish boils.
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July
On July 4, the US celebrates its birthday in high style, with fireworks across the nation and hundreds of millions of hotdogs and hamburgers sizzling on grills. Prime cities in which to enjoy the festivities include San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, where pool parties are front and centre and the weather is 99 per cent guaranteed to be gorgeous.
November
On the fourth Thursday of November, families and friends gather for a day-long feast that begins with American football and ends with pecan pie. In between, you will find roast turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes (often with a marshmallow crust), pumpkin pie and a plethora of other delicious if calorie-swamped dishes. As a visitor, most traditional restaurants will put on a special Thanksgiving menu — just prepare to roll your way back to the hotel afterwards, belt-loosened, as the inevitable food coma closes in.
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