Growing Zones vs Climate Normals: Which Should a Gardener Use?
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones and NOAA climate normals measure different things. Both are useful — but for different questions.
Jul 23, 2026
Articles
What Climate Normals Don't Tell You
Averages smooth out reality. Here are three things normals miss — and how to read around them.
Jul 15, 2026
How to Compare Two City Climates
Considering a move or a long trip? A structured comparison beats reading two pages side by side.
Jul 7, 2026
Tracking Seasonal Highs: When Is Summer Actually Hottest?
The solar peak is June 21, but cities hit their hottest averages weeks later. Here's why.
Jun 29, 2026
Rain Shadows: Why Portland Is Wet and Eastern Oregon Is Dry
Mountains wring moisture out of air. Rain shadows are the reason some American cities are lush and others arid.
Jun 22, 2026
Hurricane Season: What the 30-Year Trends Show
Atlantic hurricane season runs June through November. The climate normals quietly reveal which cities take the hardest hits.
Jun 15, 2026
The Microclimate Problem: Why Your Backyard Isn't the Airport
Every number on this site comes from a specific weather station — usually the city's main airport. Your yard is not the airport.
Jun 8, 2026
America's Coldest Cities (That You've Heard Of)
Minneapolis, Anchorage, and Buffalo all compete — but 'cold' means different things to each.
Jun 1, 2026
Reading a Climate Table: A Quick Tutorial
Every city page on this site has the same monthly table. Here's how to get the most information out of it in 30 seconds.
May 25, 2026
Why Coastal Cities Have Milder Winters
Oceans are temperature flywheels. They warm slowly in summer and cool slowly in winter — and coastal cities benefit.
May 18, 2026
Humidity, Heat Index, and Why Houston Feels Hotter Than Phoenix
The thermometer says 95°F. Your body says 110°F. A quick explanation of heat index and where it bites hardest.
May 10, 2026
The Driest Major US Cities
Las Vegas, Phoenix, and a quick tour of places where precipitation is a rare visitor.
May 3, 2026