Climate can define a region and its identity. For example, coastal cities like Astoria, OR, spend two-thirds of the year under a blanket of clouds, and desert cities are like this Phoenix, AZ, usually seeing clear skies throughout the year.
When deciding where to live, climate and weather are important. Maybe you like warm, sunny weather, or maybe you like the rain – knowing what type of climate you thrive in when choosing a city to live in is important. So, if you’re planning to move to a new place, head on over to find the cloudiest cities in the US and see if they’re right for you.
How do we explain cloudy weather?
Before we get into the most cloudy cities, let’s define what cloudy weather means. The cloud is divided into father four sections: mostly clear (or sunny during daylight hours), partly cloudy/sunny, mostly cloudy, and cloudy/overcast.
- Very clear: 1/8th of the sky is covered by clouds
- Partly cloudy: 3/8-5/8ths the sky is covered with clouds
- Very cloudy: 6/8-7/8ths the sky is covered with clouds
- It will be cloudy: 7/8ths or more of the sky is covered with clouds.
This list of cities focuses on the last category, it’s cloudy. Read on to see our ranking of the most cloudy cities with more than 100,000 residents based on their annual number of cloudy days.
What are the cloudiest cities in the US?
1. Anchorage, Alaska
239 flexible days per year
The northernmost major city in the US and the cloudiest city in the US Anchorage, AK spends more than 65% of the year under dense cloud cover, mainly due to large atmospheric rivers and proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Surprisingly, the city sees dense cloud cover during the summer months.
Anchorage is known for it its abundance of wild and wonderful places, many of which are within a short drive. If you plan to Anchoragebe sure to take advantage of the long summer daylight and view the beautiful northern lights. Be careful, though; and again the second coldest major city in the USand climate change he may be earning warm and snowy winters.
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2. Seattle, Washington
226 flexible days per year
The poster city of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle, WA is outside, a rapidly growing city It is located on the Puget Sound between the Cascade and Olympic Mountains. It is also very depressing, although this can be a point of pride for the locals.
The Seattle area receives consistent rainfall and cloud cover for most of the year, due to the Pacific climate. With the iconic Mount Rainier (Tahoma) as a backdrop, the city is famous for its entertainment and tech-oriented culture. Popular tourist destinations they include Pike Place Market, Amazon Spheres, the Space Needle, and the Seattle Great Wheel.
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3. Portland, Oregon
222 flexible days per year
Portland, OR is a famously weird city that spends a lot of time under a layer of clouds. Many locals choose this way. Similar to Seattle, Portland’s climate is heavily influenced by the Pacific Ocean, although it is slightly hotter and drier. Four distinct seasons make for sunny summers and mild winters.
Portland is their home many niche restaurants, boutique shops, and local breweries, all easily accessible by public transportation. Many locals prefer to walk or bike along the navigable streets, too. They love the outdoors love Forest Park, the largest urban forest in the country. The city is also close to the Columbia Gorge and the beautiful Oregon Coast, both popular tourist destinations.
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4. Eugene, Oregon
209 cloudy days a year
Nike’s birthplace, Eugene, OR is an outpost. Being just two hours south of Portland, its weather is very similar. Known as TrackTown USA, Eugene hosts Olympic trials and major football games at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field.
Eugene is perfect if you are looking to move to a mid-sized city with a small, college town feel. It’s also a great place to visit for those looking for craft breweries and wineries in the Pacific Northwest. Also, you get easy access to both the beach and the mountains. The village has seen continued population growth for the last 30 years because of these resources.
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5. Buffalo, New York
208 cloudy days a year
Famous for its snowy winters and funky sports scene, Buffalo, NY is the fifth cloudiest city in the country. It’s close to Niagara Falls and only a short drive from the Big Apple, making it a great place to relocate. The city too known for its social activism and progressive art scene.
The buffalo sees most of its cloud cover because of its location descend from the Great Lakes, especially Lake Erie. Cool air blowing over a cool lake picks up moisture and forms clouds, often dropping rain or snow. This condition is known as lake effect. Lake effect is more common from fall to late spring and can lead to heavy snowfall.
It is interesting that if you look at the number of days the city is the least partly cloudy (3/8th covered by clouds), Buffalo tops the list at 310 days, narrowly beating Anchorage and Seattle. This means that 85% of the whole year. Other cities in the Rust Belt are similarly clouded.
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6. Salem, Oregon
208 cloudy days a year
Located in the heart of the quaint Willamette Valley, Salem, OR is a small college town that doubles as the state capital. The sea to the west and the mountains to the east provide equally cool and cloudy The weather is year-round, although summer is usually warm and sunny.
The area features a number of wineries and vineyards and is popular with wine connoisseurs looking for a local taste. The capitol building is an attraction in itself and features art from local artists. Salem is also known as hosting the Oregon State Fair and many festivals throughout the year.
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7. Grand Rapids, Michigan
205 cloudy days a year
Grand Rapids, MI is a thriving, beautiful city with famous food and drink attractions. Known as Beer Citylocated near Lake Michigan and just a short day’s drive from Detroit. The Beer City Ale Trail is what many people follow to discover the amazing variety of breweries.
Grand Rapids receives heavy snowfall in the winter and rainfall in the fall and spring, similar to other cities near the Great Lakes. Overcast, gloomy weather is common except in the summer months.
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8. Syracuse, New York
205 cloudy days a year
Nestled between Lake Ontario, Lake Onondaga, and Oneida Lake, Syracuse, NY is a big city that offers a small town feel. Like nearby Buffalo, the city gets a lot of cloud cover because of its proximity to the Great Lakes, but it’s an outlying area. The Erie Canal, Chittenango Falls, Labrador Hollow, and more highlight the beauty of the Finger Lake region.
The Great New York State Fair is an annual attraction in the summer, season a very snowy winter (over 120 inches!) and beautiful music highlight the winter months.
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9. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
203 cloudy days a year
Pittsburgh, PA has a similar climate to other cities near the Great Lakes; Most of the region’s variable weather comes from fall to spring, depending on which direction the wind is blowing. Pittsburgh is located at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, which join to form the Ohio River.
Known as the Steel CityPittsburgh has a lot going for it. Outdoor recreation, museums, great food, and an industrial past make for a satisfying place to call home. The Strip it is very popular with shoppers and those who want to connect with the locals.
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10. Cleveland, Ohio
202 cloudy days a year
Rounding out the list of the most volatile cities in the US is Cleveland, OH. Similar to other Rust Belt cities, many cloudy days occur during the winter months due to the weather in and around Lake Erie. Summer is usually warm and humid.
If you live in Cleveland or are thinking of moving, there are many attractions that can draw your attention. These include many sports teams, major parks, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The city too known for the Lake Erie Waterfront and the Historic West Side Market – perfect for enjoying the short summer weather with friends and family.
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Which one is more cloudy place in the country?
The cloudiest place in the United States Cold BayAlaska. With 304 flexible days per yearthe small Aleutian city sees almost complete cloud cover more than 75% of the time. It recently its most variable start to summer for more than 30 years.
Cold Bay was home to an air base during World War II, most of which still stands. The region is full of great parks and wildlife sanctuaries that are perfect for recreation and relaxation.
However, the Aleutian Islands can see some very surprising the effects of climate change, in particular loss of biodiversity. The Aleutians already have there is a lot of wind, wildand a very different climate due to the semi-permanent “The Aleutian Low,” and it is expected to be more extreme and unpredictable in the coming decades.
How to do it
This list contains annual cloud cover data for large cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. Comparative Climate Data found in the 2020 update by the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and its parent administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
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