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Best time to visit the USA: month by month
Short answer
April to June and September to October are best for a classic East–West trip, with New York and Washington at about 16–26°C and cherry blossom in DC in late March to early April. July and August are humid in the east (about 29–35°C) and above 40°C in Las Vegas, while San Francisco stays foggy and cool.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5°C | -2°C | 11 | low |
| Feb | 6°C | -3°C | 11 | low |
| Mar | 11°C | 1°C | 10 | medium |
| Apr | 16°C | 7°C | 11 | high |
| May | 21°C | 11°C | 9 | high |
| Jun | 26°C | 17°C | 11 | very high |
| Jul | 30°C | 21°C | 14 | very high |
| Aug | 29°C | 20°C | 14 | very high |
| Sep | 25°C | 17°C | 11 | high |
| Oct | 19°C | 11°C | 10 | high |
| Nov | 12°C | 4°C | 8 | medium |
| Dec | 9°C | 1°C | 11 | high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
New York warms from about 11°C in March to 21°C in May; DC cherry blossom in late March to early April, and pleasant desert temperatures in the Southwest.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Hot and humid in the east (about 26–30°C on average, heatwaves to 35°C); Las Vegas above 40°C; San Francisco foggy at about 18–22°C. Peak national park crowds.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September (about 25°C) and October (about 19°C) are excellent in the east, with autumn foliage; November cools to about 12°C.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold in the east, with New York highs of about 5–9°C and lows below freezing, sometimes snow; mild in Southern California, and the Grand Canyon rim can be snowy.
Events worth planning around
- National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC (late March to mid-April)
- Independence Day fireworks, 4 July
- Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York (fourth Thursday of November)
- New Year's Eve in Times Square (31 December)
When to avoid
July and August bring heat in the east and the desert, and the biggest crowds and prices at national parks; Thanksgiving and the Christmas–New Year period push up flights and hotels.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit the USA?
April to June and September to October for comfortable temperatures in the cities and parks.
When do the cherry blossoms bloom in Washington?
Usually late March to early April; the festival runs into mid-April.
Is the Grand Canyon too hot in summer?
The rim is pleasant, but below the rim temperatures pass 40°C; hike early and carry plenty of water.