Top 10 U.S. States with the Most Unpredictable Weather
When it comes to unpredictable weather, some states in the U.S. truly keep you guessing! If you've ever lived through a stormy Midwest spring or been surprised by snow in the South, you know how quickly the weather can turn on you. In some places, the temperature can swing from sunny and warm to stormy or even icy all in one day - making it almost impossible to dress for the weather, let alone plan a weekend outing.This list takes a look at the states where residents and visitors alike have to stay on their toes, ready for anything nature throws their way.
Texas experiences significant temperature swings, extreme thunderstorms, and even hurricanes along the coast. Weather can vary widely across the state, from snow in the Panhandle to tropical conditions in the south. An 80% chance of rain is more like a 30%, while a 30% chance of rain might bring you the worst storm you've ever seen. Constant wind and moisture shifts make the atmosphere continuously dynamic and highly energized. You're never too sure what the weather will do until the event starts unfolding.
Along with dealing with all severe hazards, our proximity to the Gulf brings extreme rainfall rates and training storms that can cause major flash flooding. Along with that, a lot of the state is subtropical, so you could go from a major flood event to a flash drought due to high temperatures and minimal to no rainfall, just for that drought to be hit by another flood event. I've seen summers with less than ten inches of rain and some with more than 40. One year, we had a streak of over two months with a chance of severe thunderstorms every day due to the West Texas dry line.
Oh yeah, then there's Arctic and cold snaps and tropical storm and hurricane activity as well. I can keep going, but y'all get the picture.
Arkansas has highly variable weather with severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and rapid temperature changes. The state is also prone to sudden rain and snow events due to its geographic position. I remember one day in January it was around 60 degrees, and the next day it was in its low 30's. I would also like to point out our weird rain in the summer. Not only are we humid, but we will get VERY unexpected rain. I remember one day I went to the pool when the forecast was clear sunny skies, and then we had this huge rainstorm that lasted for about 48 minutes, then it was all sunny again. - A native Arkansan
The weather forecast recently showed a low of 33 and a high of 78! By noon, it was 75 degrees and by midnight or around 2 in the morning, it was 32 degrees! Storms are crazy unpredictable, and you never know if you're going to have a tornado or a clear sunny day.
Known for frequent tornadoes, Oklahoma also experiences extreme thunderstorms and drastic temperature shifts. Its central location makes it vulnerable to both Arctic cold and warm, moist air from the Gulf. Truly a state with every extreme. It can get well over 100 degrees in the summer and below zero in the winter in the northern part of the state. There are periods of extreme drought and catastrophic flooding. Of course, we are consistently one of the worst-hit states for tornadoes every year. We are also one of the worst states for lightning strikes, hail storms, and high winds. Wouldn't trade it for anything, though. I love Oklahoma!
First of all, random thunderstorms - like what the heck? I remember one day we were supposed to have clear skies, and it rained all day.
Second of all, one time we had a snow day in August. Yeah, just let that sink in. Third of all, some cities have random tornadoes, just... "Ah heck, ANOTHER TORNADO."
Fourth of all, living here requires two wardrobes, one for winter and one for summer. However, Oklahoma is amazing. I love my birth and home state and always will.
Colorado's weather is highly unpredictable, with rapid temperature changes, frequent snowstorms, and sudden thunderstorms. High-altitude areas experience fast-moving weather fronts that change conditions quickly. My most extreme memory of this is a day in June when I was in elementary school, sitting at my younger sister's soccer game in a tank top and shorts. The sun was shining, and it was around 80 degrees. Later that day, we were taking my sister out for a celebratory dinner, and a winter storm warning came through. As we were leaving dinner, it started snowing and snowed the whole night.
Colorado's lowest low was -61 degrees Fahrenheit and its highest high was 114 degrees Fahrenheit. Not to mention being landlocked, next to mountains, and being a grassland all contribute to unpredictable weather. You can wear shorts in the winter and a heavy coat around summertime!
Illinois experiences severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and temperature fluctuations. The state's weather changes rapidly due to its central location and variable air masses. I wake up, there's frost on the ground and I need a jacket to get the mail. By lunch, I'm in shorts and a T-shirt, sweating like a pig at a meat raffle!
Then by dinner, I need my jacket again, and there's a thunderstorm dropping hail while the tornado sirens sing. Classic Illinois.
Illinois should be number one for the most unpredictable weather I've seen in my life. I also lived in Mississippi. Pretty good weather, not the best, definitely not the worst either.
Illinois should be number 1 because one day it's 34 degrees and snowing, then two days later it's 80 degrees and sunny.
Virginia has unpredictable weather, including sudden thunderstorms, nor'easters, and temperature swings. Its coastal location and varied topography contribute to diverse weather events. Virginia weather doesn't make up its mind. We have hot, humid summers and weak winters, overall. Let me tell you - spring and fall are wack. It'll be like March or May, and we'll get a snow day, randomly. It'll be November and 85 degrees. If you want to be a lifeguard, you'll close the pool a lot due to thunderstorms in the summer, because of the mountains. I live in the Piedmont region, and our weather is weird. Spend some time here, and you'll understand why we're number five on this list.
In early March especially, we go through all four seasons in a week. It's insane.
Known for tornadoes, Kansas has frequent thunderstorms and rapid temperature changes. Its location in the central U.S. leads to highly variable weather patterns. Minus 20 degree wind chills on Friday, high of 10, after 5 inches of snow on Thursday, high of 62 on Saturday, tornado on Monday. I don't know what state tops Kansas.
I have worn a winter coat in July. In January, I had to take off all of my winter clothes and wear shorts and a tank top.
It could be nice one day and then freezing the next. It's not uncommon to experience all four seasons within a week, or almost skip a season entirely (e.g., going from summer to winter with maybe a week of fall weather).
Michigan's weather is highly unpredictable due to the Great Lakes, leading to lake-effect snow, sudden storms, and abrupt temperature drops. The state's winters are especially known for rapid snow accumulation. Here is some forecast history to show the unpredictability of Michigan weather:
September 7, 2017 - High of 60 degrees.
September 21, 2017 - High of 95 degrees and sunny, with high humidity.
October 8, 2018 - 82 degrees and sunny.
October 12, 2018 - 45 degrees and cloudy.
April 17, 2018 - 30 degrees and snowing.
April 30, 2018 - 70 degrees and sunny.
May 28, 2018 - 100 degrees and sunny, with high humidity.
December 19, 2018 - 50 degrees and sunny.
Last week of January 2019 - Polar vortex with temperatures as low as -20 with 1-2 feet of snow.
First week of February 2019 - 50 degrees.
Summer 2019 - We were supposed to have a cooler summer this year based on predictions, and at the beginning of June, these predictions seemed true. Highs were only getting into the lower 70s. By the end of June and into July, however, we were getting multiple days with highs in the 90s and upper 80s.
Tennessee experiences unpredictable weather with frequent thunderstorms, tornadoes, and temperature swings. The state's mountainous and lowland areas create diverse weather patterns. The weather here is ridiculous. Yesterday was 85 degrees, right now it's 40. Even weather channels have a hard time predicting the weather here, especially West Tennessee.
If you don't like the weather here, wait five minutes is a common saying to explain Tennessee. Bipolar also works really well. My parents never bothered planning more than a day or two ahead due to the weather being so unpredictable. The weather is more or less reliable than a politician here. Laugh out loud.
It's normally like 70 degrees in the winter, and snow doesn't come until January or February in West Tennessee.
Missouri has highly unpredictable weather with severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and rapid temperature swings. Its location in Tornado Alley increases the frequency of extreme weather events. Missouri should be at the top of the list. In the winter, the weather can go from being in the upper 60s to below freezing and snowing in a matter of hours. Springtime can have all kinds of crazy weather. In the wintertime, it will be warm, then storm really bad, followed by freezing temperatures and snow. It does not snow as much anymore, but the ice is really bad. Whatever time of year it is, don't be caught off guard.
Also, the weathermen always get something wrong somewhere, and forecasted changes multiple times a day.
The Newcomers
New Hampshire experiences unpredictable weather, including heavy snow, thunderstorms, and rapid temperature swings. Its mountainous areas frequently experience sudden weather changes.
Idaho has variable weather, with snow, thunderstorms, and sudden temperature shifts. The state's mountainous terrain contributes to rapid and diverse weather changes.
South Dakota experiences highly variable weather, including snowstorms, thunderstorms, and strong winds. The state often sees drastic temperature swings and extreme weather conditions. South Dakota's weather doesn't even care about the season. It has snowed in the summer. In 2018, my hometown (Philip) was the coldest in the nation.
Ohio's weather can change rapidly with lake-effect snow in the north, thunderstorms, and tornadoes. It often experiences unpredictable temperature swings due to varying air masses. I remember getting over a foot of snow in mid-April after having super spring-like weather for about a month. Then, it pretty much turned into summer right after that. I got caught in a nasty thunderstorm that wasn't even on the radar. We experienced all four seasons in one day, with winter-like conditions in July or June and summery days in January.
We had all four seasons in one day before. In the morning, it was frosty and foggy like autumn. By early afternoon, it was like the higher 80 degrees. Then it downpoured with lightning, and come nighttime, we got snowflakes. Also, if the weather calls for under a 50% chance of rain, expect rain. Over a 50% chance of rain, expect clear skies all day. One time the sun was shining. The next thing we know, we were getting unexpected hail the size of quarters.
Wisconsin's weather is unpredictable with frequent temperature swings, sudden snowstorms, and severe thunderstorms. The Great Lakes significantly impact the state's winter weather, leading to lake-effect snow. Wisconsin goes from Spring to Winter to Spring to more Winter until June.
In April, it'll snow for a couple of inches, then the next day the snow will be melted.
Iowa's weather is unpredictable, with severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and sudden temperature shifts. Its location makes it susceptible to frequent changes in weather patterns. Iowa should be in the top 5 of this list. I've lived here for a long time, and it sucks when you're just going on a walk, a storm appears, you can't see anything, strong winds, temperature drops, and uh oh, I didn't get home on time, and now I just got frostbite and died.
It snows for two days, 85-degree heat the next three, and a thunderstorm on Friday with a tornado warning, all in one week. In April. Iowa, man.
Iowa should be number 1. Iowa weather is like snow on one day and 100 degrees the next day.
Minnesota's weather is highly variable, with extreme cold, thunderstorms, and heavy snow. The state's winters often bring rapid temperature changes and significant snowfall. A place where your nostrils can freeze shut one day, and the next day it's sunny and 75.
Month by month, the unpredictability changes. One month you can freeze, then the next month you will be sweating a lot.
One day it's sub-zero, frostbite-inducing temperatures, the next day it's 70 with clear skies and no breeze.
Florida's weather is marked by sudden thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and hurricane activity along its coasts. The state is known for hot, humid weather interspersed with unexpected tropical storms. I've been to many states, but Florida is crazy. It can be raining profusely yet still be extremely sunny. It can also be completely clear with no clouds in sight and still be raining.
Florida is all backwards.
It can be cold in May, warm in January, it constantly rains in summer, and it almost never rains in spring. One of my friends in middle school said we live in a bipolar state because of the weather. It's unpredictable.
It can be super cold and windy, raining cats and dogs one day, and then be nearly 100°F the next day. Hurricane season and summer take up about 75% of the year. Some days are so humid, it feels like you're swimming when you take in a breath. Not fun.
Indiana experiences variable weather, including sudden thunderstorms, tornadoes, and lake-effect snow. The state frequently faces abrupt shifts in temperature and precipitation. One day it was like 70 degrees and then a couple of days later it was snowing heavily, and I was completely shocked and freezing. Honestly, don't move here if you are not prepared to carry two extra pairs of clothing to change into for the weather throughout the day.
I've been an Indiana resident for almost three years and it can be frustrating dealing with the weather here. It'll rain really hard for 15 minutes, then the sun will come out for the next 30 minutes, then the rain will return. All the while, you get wet and dry off, then get wet again. The sun and rain come and go as if you're living in a Stephen King novel.
Georgia's weather varies with sudden thunderstorms, occasional tornadoes, and temperature swings. The state also sees sporadic snowfall in northern regions, adding to its unpredictable climate. Georgia should be in the top ten. One day it's 95 and humid, the next it's 75 and dry, in fall. One day, there was both a downpour and tornado warning and a bunch of sunshine. In winter, one day it was 40 and snowy, the next it's 60 and sunny.
We can have all four seasons in a week's time! No telling what the weather is going to be like the next day. You can't fully trust the forecast.
Don't even get me started on anything other than summer. In summer, it's just hot. Anything else is completely unpredictable.
California's weather is diverse and unpredictable, with coastal fog, wildfires, and winter storms. The state experiences everything from desert heat to mountainous snow. This should be number 1 because you may never know when a thunderstorm could happen. There are tons of atmospheric rivers, tornadoes around the north, it turns from hot to cold nonstop, and there is just overall confusing weather in California.
California should be number one because temperatures increase and decrease every day by a lot, and there are thunderstorms some days and tornadoes around the north.
It's cold one day, hot the next, and there are unpredictable floods, mudslides, and landslides.
Maryland experiences highly variable weather, including thunderstorms, nor'easters, and occasional tornadoes. Being near the coast, it can also experience rapid temperature changes and snow events. I've lived here until I was 19. In Baltimore, there are 50 days nonstop when the temperature doesn't rise above 95 degrees, and winter means heaven for kids because half an inch of snow here means no school.
We got sun showers, we got thunder without any clouds, and I'm sure at some point lightning struck on a starry night. I'll be out with my kids on a beautiful 80°F day, clouds roll in, thunder hail in August, fifteen minutes later it's 115 in the heat index and mosquitoes everywhere.
In one month, there can be blizzards, heavy rain, hail, and tornadoes. The temperature can go from 15 degrees to 70 degrees in a week.
Massachusetts experiences varied weather, including nor'easters, thunderstorms, and sudden temperature changes. Coastal regions often face unpredictable weather, especially during hurricane season. Massachusetts should be first. One day it will be 70 degrees, and then the next it will be snowing and 14 degrees. We have a variety of weather, not just one type like Florida.
North Carolina has varied weather with sudden thunderstorms, hurricanes, and snowfall in the mountains. Its position between the coast and mountains creates diverse weather patterns statewide. One day, it rains even though you expect it to be sunny. Another day, it's sunny even though you expect it to rain. The Carolinas may have a mild climate and all, but don't expect the weather around here to be too easy to predict, even with the help of weather forecasting. At least from my everyday experience living here.
The other day we had snow and frosted windows in the morning. By the afternoon it was 70 degrees. That same week we had 80-degree weather. We definitely see a variation of seasons every year, and depending on where you live in NC. We have areas susceptible to hurricanes and tornadoes. The good thing is, if you don't like the weather, you don't have to wait long for it to change.
New York's weather includes rapid temperature changes, lake-effect snow, and nor'easters. The state's diverse geography leads to highly variable weather conditions across regions.
Kentucky's weather is highly changeable with frequent thunderstorms, tornadoes, and extreme temperature fluctuations. Its central location makes it susceptible to both cold Arctic fronts and warm southern air.
Pennsylvania's weather is variable with thunderstorms, snowfall, and nor'easters in winter. The state's location leads to frequent shifts in temperature and precipitation. All these states ranked before PA? Y'all have never been to this state. I've seen all four seasons in one day before!
It'll be 20 degrees in the morning with one foot of snow from the night before still on the ground and snowing. One hour later, it will be raining buckets. A couple of hours after that, it'll be 85 degrees out.
Don't get me started on the tornadoes. We've had tornadoes and small earthquakes in the same day, and hurricanes with tornadoes combined. March and April are the worst times. It'll be 80 on April 1st and 10 on April 2nd. We have the worst and most unpredictable weather in all the states.