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Fun Fact Friday: Climate Zones

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Education & Training with Although I'm retired, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals.

“The beauty of America is not just in its people, but in the incredible diversity of the land itself.”


Did you know
the United States is one of the few countries in the world that contains every major climate zone found on Earth?

That means you can experience tropical beaches, frozen tundra, dry deserts, rainy coastlines, and snowy mountains, all without ever leaving the country.

Here is a quick tour of America’s amazing climate diversity:

Tropical Climate
Found in: Hawaii and South Florida
Warm temperatures year-round, palm trees, lush vegetation, and plenty of humidity.

Desert Climate
Found in: Arizona, Nevada, Southern California, and parts of Utah and New Mexico
Very little rainfall, hot summers, dramatic landscapes, and beautiful sunsets.

Marine West Coast Climate
Found in: Washington, Oregon, and coastal Northern California
Mild temperatures, lots of rainfall, evergreen forests, and cloudy winters.

Subarctic & Tundra Climate
Found in: Alaska
Long, bitterly cold winters, short cool summers, glaciers, and permafrost.

Humid Continental Climate
Found in: Midwest and Northeast states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and New York
Four distinct seasons, snowy winters, warm summers, and colorful autumns.

Humid Subtropical Climate
Found in: Southeastern states like Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and the Carolinas
Hot,, humid summers, mild winters, and frequent thunderstorms.

Mediterranean Climate
Found in: Coastal California
Warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, similar to southern Europe.

Highland Climate
Found in: Rocky Mountain states, including Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming
Weather changes quickly with elevation, cooler temperatures, and mountain snow.

This incredible climate diversity helps explain why the United States grows such a wide range of crops and has such different lifestyles, landscapes, and outdoor activities across regions. Whatever you're looking for, you can find it in the United States.

On the very same day, Americans may be surfing in Hawaii, golfing in Arizona, hiking in Washington, and skiing in Colorado.

Which climate zone would you most enjoy living in full-time?

Posted by

Carol Williams

"Information is FREE.
Knowledge, Experience & Integrity Are Priceless."

- Carol Williams

Retired: Real Estate Broker/Owner, Property Manager 
Coaching, goal setting, and marketing consultant

Active: Golf & Travel Blogger
"Golf isn't a sport. It's a lifestyle."
SeniorWomenGolfers.com
TopTeamCarol@gmail.com
 

Whatever You're Doing, Make It Fun!



Comments(16)

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Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Carol, interesting post, and totally correct.  Even in Colorado, you could ski during the day, and come back down to Denver and play a game of golf in the afternoon.

May 15, 2026 02:07 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner 
According to a quick Google search, Portugal has 5 climate regions. I'm sure you'll experience them all.

May 15, 2026 06:46 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I have experienced all of those! I am not a fan of humidity so wouldn't want to live in any of the humid places. I have to say I think where I am (highland climate) is my favorite. But I love visiting all the others!

May 15, 2026 05:00 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Kat Palmiotti 
Humidity is not my friend either, Kat. I enjoy the dry climate where I live.

May 15, 2026 06:48 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Carol. We live in the "grandkid climate zone" of the midwest as a choice but must admit we liked the tropical climate of Florida much better. Enjoy your day. 

May 15, 2026 05:14 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Wayne Martin 
I've never heard of the "grandkid climate zone", but I know you've moved for them. 

May 15, 2026 06:49 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Carol... I had no idea there were actually that many climate zones, much less that they all "resided" in the USA. I lived in a number of them. My favorite would be Mediterranean without the rainy winter.

May 15, 2026 05:27 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Nina,
I think that would be my favorite too. I grew up in western Oregon, so I'm not a rainy weather fan... period! It does make for beautiful landscape, though. 

May 15, 2026 06:57 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I did not know that, but it makes sense.  I am always amazed that I can move from one climate zone to another so quickly in Arizona, haha.

May 15, 2026 06:00 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Brian England 
It's interesting to think one country could have ALL of the major climate zones. 

May 15, 2026 06:59 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Retired Real Estate Broker

Carol Williams  I can honestly say that over the years with our travels, we have experienced all of the climates. 

Our country is also good for detailing zones that aide in planting shrubs as well.

May 15, 2026 06:29 AM
Carol Williams

Yes, Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 
I pay attention to climate zone hardiness when choosing plants. 

May 15, 2026 07:00 AM
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Good Morning Carol Williams 

The United States is the most diverse country on Earth. You have shared  a diversity that most do not know

May 15, 2026 06:52 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Doug Dawes 
We are extremely very diverse in many ways, aren't we? 

May 15, 2026 07:01 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Friday morning, Carol. Thanks for this interesting lesson.

Have a great day and an outstanding weekend.

May 15, 2026 07:29 AM
Carol Williams

You're welcome, Roy Kelley 
I hope you and Dolores have an enjoyable weekend.

May 15, 2026 02:48 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Carol Williams ,

Another great post! I had no clue that the United States contains every major climate zone found on Earth! I've traveled to most of the climate zones and have to say I'm happy where i am!

May 15, 2026 07:55 AM
Carol Williams

Hi Dorie Dillard Austin TX 
It's pretty remarkable, isn't it?

May 15, 2026 02:49 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Real Estate Svcs.
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Hello, Carol Williams God Bless the USA is the first thing that comes to my mind as I read this. 

May 15, 2026 07:59 AM
Carol Williams

Amen to that, Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Real Estate Svcs. 

May 15, 2026 02:49 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Carol- I'd say my favorite is the tropical climate, like when I lived in South FL. Where does Texas fall????

May 15, 2026 07:02 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Carol like others have said, I was not aware of this.

May 16, 2026 05:00 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - crrli.com. We are Lic. Assoc. Broker/Lic. RE Salesperson - Plainview, NY
We List/Sell Long Island Real Estate Successfully!

Carol, Although I could do without the very cold, snowy, icy weather, I do appreciate having all four seasons. It keeps things interesting and makes you value each one a little more when it arrives.

May 17, 2026 04:18 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Carol:

This certainly was educational, and not something I have really thought much about. I rather liked living in New England with the change of seasons except I was not a fan, especially as I got older, of the winter which seemed to last forever - we took an annual trip to the Caribbean every February to escape. I am pretty happy with the desert climate here in So Cal overall.

Jeff

May 17, 2026 06:21 PM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

I can personally attest to the humid Midwest. We lived approximately 5 miles south of Lake Michigan's most southern tip.  Humidity during the summer often exceeded 95%. One felt like one was breathing water.

May 19, 2026 06:58 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Very interesting, Carol. You learn something new each day.

May 19, 2026 12:40 PM