15 Cities To Avoid if Good Weather Is Important to You

Everyone wants to live where the weather is nice, and some of us are willing to pay handsomely for the privilege. We’re talking plenty of sunshine, low humidity, mild winters, and stunning summers.

While crunching the data to calculate the most laid-back cities in the U.S., we also collected data about the cities with the worst weather year-round.

Whether you're relocating for a stress-free retirement or just want to experience somewhere new, you should give the weather more than a passing thought. Unless you can be a snowbird, here’s where you might not want to have a permanent home.

1. San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio may have a super vibrant culture, but the combination of high temps and humidity can make the city feel like a sauna from June and July through September.

Spring and fall bring some relief, but those months also bring severe thunderstorms, which can cause flooding. Winters are generally mild, but the occasional cold snap can be freezing.

2. Hartford, Connecticut

Hartford's weather is unpredictable and sometimes dreary. Winters are harsh, with temps often dropping below freezing and heavy snowfall making travel a pain.

Summers have high humidity that can make the heat feel oppressive. Hartford also gets a lot of rain throughout the year. Spring and fall bring beautiful foliage but are often short-lived.

3. Providence, Rhode Island

Providence has cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers. The city also gets abundant rainfall throughout the year, contributing to its gloomy vibe.

Spring and fall are short and can be pretty wet, often with dramatic temperature swings that can make it hard to dress for the day.

4. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is infamous for its brutal winters, with freezing temps, tons of snow, and biting winds. Summers can be pleasant but, again, short-lived, often with high humidity and storms.

Due to its location on Lake Michigan, Chicago can have unpredictable weather shifts throughout the year. Spring and fall are nice but can be inconsistent.

5. Detroit, Michigan

Detroit's weather is far from ideal. The long, frigid winter can extend from November to March or April, contributing to serious winter fatigue.

The high humidity in summer can make it feel much hotter than it actually is. It also rains a lot in the Motor City, making you long for blue skies and sunshine.

6. Boston, Massachusetts

Boston feels all four seasons in full force, but none are totally pleasant across the board. Winter is snowy and cold, with temps dropping into the 20s. Spring is chilly, and summer is hot and humid.

Fall can be beautiful but also unpredictable. Noreasters can happen anytime, bringing heavy rain, snow, and strong winds.

7. Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland's weather is gray and wet. It sits on Lake Erie, which brings lots of lake-effect snow during long, cold winters. The persistent cloud cover can make you forget what the sun feels like.

Summers are warm but humid, with frequent thunderstorms that can bring heavy rain. Spring and fall are the most pleasant.

8. Tampa, Florida

While Florida is known for its sunshine, Tampa's weather means lots of thunderstorms during the summer. High humidity can make summer temps in the 90s feel absolutely sweltering.

Tampa is also prone to hurricanes from June to November, which can bring catastrophic weather like super heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding.

9. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee's weather is a mixed bag of extremes, including days of cloud cover. Winters are long, cold, and snowy, with icy winds blowing from Lake Michigan. Summers are warm but short and muggy.

Milwaukee gets plenty of precipitation each year, contributing to its overall unpredictable and sometimes harsh weather. The transitions between seasons can also be pretty abrupt.

10. Orlando, Florida

Orlando might be a super popular tourist destination, but its weather can be a drag if you live there full-time. Summers are particularly muggy, with temps often in the high 90s and frequent thunderstorms. Humidity makes it feel a lot hotter than it is.

Orlando may be inland, but hurricanes can still bring dangerous conditions.

11. Houston, Texas

The oppressive heat and humidity in summer in Houston is no joke. The city also gets a decent amount of rain every year, with heavy downpours that can cause dangerous flooding.

Given its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, Houston can get hit by hurricanes during storm season.

12. New Orleans, Louisiana

Like its Gulf Coast neighbors, New Orleans is at high risk for hurricanes. It’s hot and humid for much of the year; summers are particularly difficult. Winters are mild but can be damp and dreary at times.

The Big Easy gets a ton of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, so the reality of flooding is no surprise.

13. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis is a bit of a weather drama queen. Winters are incredibly harsh, with frigid temps and heavy snowfall. The long season can feel depressing.

Summers are warm but shortish, with temps in the 70s and 80s and high humidity. Minneapolis also gets a fair amount of rain in the fall.

14. Buffalo, New York

Buffalo's weather is dominated by lake-effect snow from Lake Erie, which translates into some of the heaviest snowfall in the country. Temps often drop well below freezing and the chill lasts into April.

Summers are warm, but rain showers can mess with your outdoor plans. Fall is nice but arguably too short.

15. Miami, Florida

Miami can be a paradise in winter, but its weather has serious downsides. High humidity is fairly constant throughout the year, especially in sweltering summers with frequent thunderstorms.

Of course, Miami is susceptible to hurricanes during the Atlantic hurricane season, which is a risky proposition. Climate change is also exacerbating hurricanes and flooding.

Bottom line

These cities all have wonderful things going for them. But if you're chasing perfect weather year-round, you might want to keep looking, especially if you’re planning to retire there. Like Goldilocks searching for “just right,” these cities are either too hot and humid or too cold and snowy for significant parts of the year.

Some of the bad weather may be offset by an affordable cost of living in some of these locales, so there is a potential silver lining. If you can deal with the not-so-perfect weather, you may find a home in one of these cities.

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