Why the Hottest Time of Year Varies Widely Across the USA 

I've been looking for a channel like this for a while. Really surprised YTs algorithm took so long to show me your channel. Great content, you obviously know your stuff in this area, and us casual geography nerds thank you.

If anyone was curious about Hawaii and Alaska: on both the windward and leeward side of the Hawaiian islands, September tends to be the warmest month of the year. This is when the sea surface temperatures of the North Pacific are at their maximum, and Hawaii's climate is dominated by trade winds off the North Pacific.The situation is similar in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Alaska is interesting--in the interior, between the Brooks Range and Alaska Range, peak summer is quite early, in early July. That's partly due to the very long days near the summer solstice when you're so far north. In addition, August sees more cloud cover and rainfall due to increased thawing and warming of the Arctic ocean, which becomes an important summer moisture source. Closer to the ocean in Alaska, seasonal lag (due to the proximity to water) places peak summer later.

I absolutely loathe summer. It's miserable. But I never get tired of the cloudy, cold, snowy winter days.

It surprises people when I tell them San Diego feels like Summer through Halloween & even into the first week of November sometimes. On the other hand, if we're lucky, it doesn't get to 80° until late July or early August.

Growing up, nothing beats the Summer Monsoons. Because once they start, you know the dreaded 110+ days are over and they chain together, leading to evening storms every night for days on end.

I grew up in the bay area and as a kid the fall decorations in September always confused me because it was VERY CLEARLY still summer outside.

I live near Pismo Beach CA where October has the average highest temperatures of any month. What’s interesting too is that you don’t need to travel very far inland from the coast to notice that it’s a lot more unpleasantly hot in the middle of summer. This effect is largely why homes are so much more expensive in California near the coast. It’s not just for ocean views. It’s also often just for the more stable weather. Because the hottest days in September or October along the California coast still aren’t typically as hot as the average summer days a bit further inland.

For the first time ever I actually now understand what it means when the weather man says there's a 'high pressure system' and why that means it'll be hotter. Thank you!

Although this has already been said, this channel has an incredible potential. I can easily see it with more than a hundred thousand subscribers and some videos with millions of views.

Fascinating video! Thanks for sharing. Traveling between cities in the Mountain West, PNW, and Sonoran Deserts really helps one appreciate the beauty and variety of North American geography

The YT algorithm pushed this to me as I bake in SE Texas in August.

This is excellent and should really be ranked higher on RU-vid. Simple clear explanations not obscured by tons of music or typical RU-vid channel fanfare. Great job!

Thanks for doing this video! Grew up in western Arkansas and always wish there was more info concerning the August (and sometimes July) dry season in that region of the country, and where the boundary is between the parts of the Southeast that get ample rain all summer long and those that have a dry August. I used to always wonder why trees east of Little Rock were so much taller and appeared so much healthier than those at the lower elevations of the Ozarks. Fact is, that August dry season, which in pervious decades was much more pronounced than it is today, played a significant role in the evolution of the plant life in that area. Climate change seems to be making the Sonoran Desert monsoon less reliable while at the same time, bringing greener Augusts to western Arkansas, eastern Oklahoma, and eastern Texas.

Growing up in Orange County CA, I was always disappointed that our summer vacation from school was June-July-August, when the best weather would have been August-September-October. The June Gloom was real. July not much better.

Please continue producing content. It is unique on youtube and extremely informational/entertaining! Algorithm gods, let this channel thrive 🙏

Good video. I have friends in the Big Bend area of Texas and they refer to April, May, and June as the "Oven season" and the rains that tend to show up in July bring some cooler temperatures with them.

Your videos are fantastic. I watch so many geography videos and I have no idea why it took so long to find you. Your topics are so much more interesting and unique than other creators. Thank you and keep up the good work.

4:02 I live in Fort Worth, TX and grew up here. Crazy to think that despite my interest in weather, I never thought about the effect of the North American Monsoon causing sinking air in my location, and making August the warmest month here! This summer (2023) has been extremely hot and dry, so much so that it looks like some trees are drying out and appearing to change color... in August. I don't think we've seen a good rainfall since early July. The last time the trees changed color out of dryness like this, that I recall, occurred during the extreme drought year of 2011. Trees changing color due to seasonality (the "pretty kind") doesn't usually happen around here until November, with peak color in mid-November. Despite August usually being peak heat in most of Texas, early summer can still be very hot in my location! I suspect the dryline plays a role; notice that sharp line between June peak-heating and August peak-heating over western Texas. The dryline, like any weather front, is obviously not a static feature, and moves; if you're west of the dryline, you get conditions more like the Desert Southwest. I do know that in the late spring and early summer, portions of the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma can see intense thunderstorm activity, but can also see intense dryness and heat, depending on the dryline position. If the dryline is closer to the I-35 corridor (eg. DFW up to OKC), then it can get pretty hot in places like Midland, Lubbock, and Amarillo. I'm also pretty sure that the area around Wichita Falls and Lawton, as well as the areas of the Southern Plains just to their west, can be among the hottest in the summer in the USA outside of the Desert Southwest; with it currently being August, I've noticed that the center of intense heat in the USA has been more centered on this region, also extending into DFW this year as well. Interestingly, the dryline tends to go furthest east during late winter and early spring, largely because of strong migratory low pressure systems dragging it east. I recall some days with highs in the upper-80s and even lower-90s F occurring during February and March because we ended up west of the dryline with a strong southwesterly wind out of Mexico. As some might know, there is a connection between the dryline location and where tornadic supercells form. I'm now reminded of 2011, when the dryline going so far east left my native DFW area dry during the spring, but it also helped to trigger massive tornado outbreaks to my east and northeast that year (eg. the 2011 Super Outbreak). Speaking of severe thunderstorms, I've also noticed that our severe thunderstorm and tornado season here in DFW tends to end, almost like clockwork, around the same time as when the calendar flips from May to June, with summer heat settling in pretty quickly after that. There have been some years with severe thunderstorm and tornado activity in and near DFW in June, but it seems pretty rare. The severe thunderstorm and tornado season does persist longer to our north and west (eg. Oklahoma, the Texas Panhandle, and the Big Country centered near Abilene, TX), however; as an example, earlier this year (2023), I recall a massive supercell with a large tornado in mid-to-late June that went from the Texas Panhandle into the Big Country region. All of this is quite a fascinating topic for me!

I grew up in two of these regions. When I lived in Las Vegas, our hottest time of year would depend on the activity of the monsoon rains. Hottest summer days would typically be in June or early July when the monsoon hasn’t arrived yet. in years where the monsoon is lackluster, we could see our hottest days in August. When I moved to Arkansas, the wet and dry part of the summer switched. May and June were always rainy and then we’d hit a dry period from July until October. The dry season could be so bad, some trees begin to shed when it’s still hot outside.

Will there ever be another video on your channel? I genuinely looked forward to them and I miss them greatly. They were all amazingly interesting and very informative.

This is by far the most informative video on this topic. Having lived in Southern Texas and a resident of Southern California, I've noticed these weather patterns first hand. Your video does a terrific job of explaining why and how these different climates interact with each other. Well done thank you.

We miss you!

Can you make a video on why the coldest time of the year is different around the US next?

This was such well thought out, fascinating, and properly delivered package of information. Amazing also that you managed to teach the fundamental concept of sinking and rising air, and it’s effect on temperature so seamlessly and effectively.

You sir, are a RU-vid gem! 💎

As someone in the pacific northwest, I hate summer, all of it. It's too hot and wildfires suck. Also, these videos always leave out the PNW.

In my 34 years of living in southern/central Arizona, I’ve experienced the end of July and August as by far the hottest weeks of the year. This heat spell immediately precedes our monsoons.

Same goes for India as Southern India experiences Hottest temp in April or early May because from may LWD gives Thunderstorm and North India in late may or early june after that monsoon takes over. But in Further North in Kashmir and Ladakh where monsoon effect is minimal hottest part of year is late July or August

Something similar happens in Central America when sometimes april in spring is even hotter than July in summer because of the lack of rain in the dry season

You are asking (and answering) some excellent questions!

Wonderfully interesting as always! Thanks!

Fascinating, having lived in both southeast Texas and the mountain west.

The corn belt also has a slightly earlier peak high temperature. The effect extends north and east into the Great Lakes as well.

This made me feel like I was there for every b roll. This was soooooo nice

You earned a new subscriber.I like learning about the earth and nature and You make the topics easy to understand in a short period of time.

The best channel on youtube. Thank you thank you thank you

is there ever gonna be a new video from you? love your content 🥺

Very interesting! I live in SC and I've always thought of early August as the hottest part of the year. Interesting to see that it's actually a bit earlier than that here

This was absolutely fascinating. I grew up in the Midwest, but have lived in the Pacific Northwest, the American Southwest and the Deep South and have noted the differences, but usually attributed them to my failing memory.

Just now discovered your channel and I've been binging your videos. You put a lot of thought into these!

New sub here,Very good content,thanks!

Stay goated king

Also something to know, since the Air is so humid, at night the temperature only gets as low as 88 to 91 Fahrenheit and can even stay as high as 100 degrees during the coldest part of the night (1am to 4am, it starts warming up around 4:25am even before the sun rises) And as an anecdote, it was 99 degrees Fahrenheit at 3 in the morning in Dallas county during the week of August 21st.

3:29 thanks for making sure we understand the impact on trout populations

Always fascinated me as a child why India had summer from mar to may and may was the warmest month - with the monsoon hitting in jun and lasting till September

Fascinating!

Excellent video! 😊

Its 105 in Nebraska this week after unseasonably cool and wet July weather of 80 degrees and rainy.

Great channel. Been binging. Longer content is king. I look forward to a 40+ min deep dive into something. Keep up the work. Someone else here said - ppl come here - like something - binge and then become a sub. I agree.

Tell your piece I'm a good listener

Very interesting, thanks!

You actually did another video on that map of the timing of max summer temps! And it's so good! And I live in Dallas, so I found this one especially interesting! (Apologies for the poor grammar and liberal use of exclamation points, I'm just very happy)

In Australia, the northern parts get the "Indian Summer" effect where spring are the hottest months as when the monsoon rains arrive in Summer (December to Feb) the temperatures drop. This also effects bushfire seasons, where in the hot north they get fires in winter (the dry season) and as you move south to around Sydney they get most of their bushfires in spring (Oct-Nov). Then finally in southern Australia the driest/hottest part of the year is summer, therefore it's bushfire season (Dec to March). In the Kimberly area in northern Australia every month can get above 38c (100F) and in some places the average temperature will often be at it's hottest just past winter (from Sept-Oct).

As someone from the East Texas region, I can confirm august is the hottest month. We’ve been currently experiencing 100+ degree highs for the past month and we’re also in a severe drought. It’s miserable!

Can you do a rainfall distribution of Trinidad and Tobago in the southern Caribbean

As someone who lives in Austin, TX.... July can be quite cool, but Aug/Sept? It feels like you're being cremated.

According to the radar, we are finally supposed to break 34C in my state (this year). Yesterday we just broke 33C! Usually we get at least a couple days around the 36C mark. This has been one of the coolest summers in a while, and I welcome it. We can get some brutal weather here in both summer and winter, as with most of the Midwest.

Sincerely, summer has become my least favorite season, "hell season" would be more fitting imo, droughts, heatdomes, wildfires, and flashfloods, nah, I am good without it XD Anyways, love your vids, you have created an amazing channel. I especially like your essais on micro-climates, like the cold holes, the choco rainforest, or the Maracaibo and Victoria lake. ^^

I'm originally from Santa Rosa, CA, an hour north of San Francisco, and I can tell you that the hottest time of year was typically around Labor Day - early September.

very happy i have proof now that louisiana is ungodly hot during the summer. i actually couldn't go outside for a good 3 weeks out of this past summer without feeling awful

Houston for sure has June as its wettest month, storms roll off the gulf like clockwork during that month. Unlike north Texas however, the danger for tornadoes is most prevalent during January and February

For me i hate july august in the west coast. Central valley will barely go below 90 after mid june to September

Great channel! Subd

Climate science is a field of science I want to go into and this was fascinating to me thank you :)

I didn't know the Great Plains stretched into southern Louisiana!

Quite interesting that.

Oh everyone in AZ knows very well about monsoons

Been in Oklahoma in Aug. was 113 and 90% humidity. Was worse than Tucson.

1:05 The fact you can see the Texas - New Mexico border like that is bonkers

entry of Wednesday, 30th August 2023 In Hamburg (Germany), the day of the summer solitice, has its nigthfall at ~ 23 : 20 Central European Daylight Saving Time! The first half of the astronomical summer (~ 21st June to ~ 7th August), usually has (roughly) the identical weather ... of that year! The warmest day of the year, is usually ~ 10th August! I do NOT need DST, where I am!

It's all about the northern polar vortex. Southern vortex different around landmass. Makes jet stream not wobble and vary unlike northern vortex.

Could you make a video, comparing which regions of europe are most similar, to which regions of america climactically?

The LA County portion is very wrong. I've lived here since decades before 1981 and I can assure you that hottest time of year is ALWAYS: /August, late August, or first half of September.

According to the NOAA my areas hottest day is in mid August, but the last 14 years the hottest days have been. The beginning of June

Interesting video. The hottest part of the year is very much determined by the amount of solar radiation. In winter, it's not so clear. Why are the coldest days in the west of the US on average in late-December or early-January, about a month earlier than in the east of the US?

I got a chuckle out of how he pronounced Chihuahuan. It’s just like the dog, Chihuahua (which is the state it’s named after). The “h” isn’t pronounced

The offshore winds in southern California are Santana winds. Not Santa Ana. A common mistake.

do an episode on this years el nino change from last years la nina and the neutral phase

Judging by the map, mid August sucks on the great lakes 😂

Although June is hot in Texas, I've never considered it to be the hottest month.. late July, August & even most of September (most days are 98°-102° plus humidity) Source: Concrete worker Houston, TX

4:20 how did Antlers, Oklahoma make it on the map?

Wonder if you've done a vid on the January thaw

Wow really enjoying your channel. It's all the things I'm interested in with out all the annoying RU-vidr stuff haha.

Winter gang rise up. Summer sucks

Is there a map like this for Europe as well? Wasn't able to find one on Google

I was confused by your insistance that July is the hottest because I live firmly in the mid august is the hottest range of texas

Bro, you look like my friend Dan, had he never started using drugs.

I’ve always hated summer.

Add Hawaii and Alaska please?

The best part of heat is cooling off by swimming

Hate summer so much… way less people around all other seasons

we are skipping it sorta due to the hurricane hilary right now it normally is 100+ but its 80 #elnino

❤❤

“Chijuanjuan”

Absolutely fascinating, although I didn't believe a single word.

And that my friends is how I got my PhD in climate science

Are you saying "continuous US?"

Where in Pakistan?

Volume

Can confirm. its hot