Are you craving some vitamin D or looking for a change of scenery? Well, you’re not alone. More and more people are looking to move to sunnier cities throughout the country. In fact, sunny, relatively affordable metro areas have been some of the most popular migration destinations over the last few years.
So if you’re considering moving to a sunnier city but aren’t sure which one to choose – we’re here to help. We’ve compiled a list of the sunniest cities in the U.S. – plus some ideas for how to enjoy your time in the sun, beat the heat, and thrive in your new area. Read on to learn more and discover if one of these sunny cities is right for you.
What is sunny weather?
Before diving into the sunniest cities, let’s define what sunny weather means. Sunniness is divided into three categories: sunny (or clear if overnight), mostly sunny/cloudy, and partly sunny/cloudy.
- Sunny: less than 1/8th of the sky is covered with clouds
- Mostly sunny: 1/8-2/8ths of the sky is covered with clouds
- Partly sunny: 3/8-5/8ths of the sky is covered with clouds
This list of cities focuses on the first category, sunny. Keep reading to see our ranking of the sunniest cities with over 100,000 residents based on their annual number of sunny days.
What are the sunniest cities in the U.S.?
1. Yuma, Arizona
242 sunny days per year
Officially the sunniest city in the world, Yuma, AZ, receives over 4,000 sunlight hours per year, along with extremely low humidity. During the summer months, it averages more than 13 hours of sunlight per day, mainly due to its location in the Sonoran Desert. Because of this, summers are sweltering, with temperatures typically in the 110-degree range throughout July and August.
You can use those sunny days to take advantage of all the outdoor activities the city has to offer.From rafting on the Colorado River to exploring the nearby Imperial Sand Dunes, there’s something for everyone in Yuma. In town, you can see the historic city…