State Climates Report

by Jan Helfeld

(See also Climate Report Addendum and Climates Report #3)

For many people a key factor in determining whether a state is livable or not is the weather. The reason for this is obvious; the weather affects us constantly and can be an important hindrance to our enjoyment of life and the pursuit of our goals. Thus, rational people will take climate into consideration when deciding whether or not to move to a free state.

Some people simply will not move to a state based on weather considerations alone. That is why people don't live on the North Pole and also why Canada is so sparsely populated. The purpose of this climate report is to present the facts about the weather of various states so that we can all make a rational choice.

It is true that not everybody agrees on what good weather is. However, it is also true that there is a consensus among human beings worldwide and more particularly US citizens regarding climate preferences. Thus, it is possible to make some generalizations about what good weather is and what it is not, that most people would agree with. In any event, I will provide the facts so that you can make an informed judgment based on your personal preferences.

The premise of the analysis would be that cold and drastic climates are worse than warmer and milder climates. The support for the premise that people prefer warmer and milder climates is the fact that worldwide most of the population lives in the warmer and milder climates which suggests a preference in that direction. But more importantly for us in United States, it is clear that based on population migration in the last forty years, people prefer warmer and milder climates. That is why US population has consistently migrated south and West where the temperatures are warmer and milder. A good example of this principle is that people are unwilling to move to Alaska even though the state pays people to live there. Things have to be pretty bad if you're unwilling to move to place that pays you to live there. Another fact that suggests the validity of this principle is the fact that all the northern states have very low population densities as well as the in land Western states that have drastic temperature variations. It is not a coincidence that they have the worst weather and also very low population densities. People vote on climate with their feet.

If warmer and milder temperatures are an objective criteria to differentiate between states, as I have claimed, then Delaware would be the best of thestate candidates as far as climate is concerned. As you can see from the statistics presented in the graph, Delaware's climate is milder and warmer than any of other six top candidates by far.

Lewes - Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Concord, New Hampshire

The average low temperature in Concord, New Hampshire is 17 degrees lower in January and February than in Lewes, Delaware. The average low temperature for the month of January in Concorde New Hampshire is 9 degrees. In Lewes Delaware the average low temperature for the month of January is 26 degrees. That is certainly enough to make a big difference in the quality of life one can expect. If this does not faze you, what about 33 degrees below zero, the all-time January low for Concord? I don't know about you, but for me, below zero temperatures are very difficult to live with.

These extreme cold temperatures make it more difficult to proselytize and promote our political agenda. For most people these cold temperatures are best dealt with by staying at home.

When it comes to average high temperatures, Delaware is not significantly hotter than New Hampshire. For instance the average high temperature for the month of July in Lewes Delaware is 85 degrees. Whereas in Concorde New Hampshire the average high temperature for the month of July is 83 degrees. Clearly Delaware?s temperature is milder and does not have the extreme temperature variations that New Hampshire has.

The precipitation in both states is equivalent, but when it comes to New Hampshire due to the cold temperatures this means lots of snow that will certainly slow down activism.

Thus, no matter what weather factor is taken into consideration Delaware?s climate is significantly better than New Hampshire?s. The same happens when you compare Delaware?s climate to the other states.

When you compare Delaware?s climate to Vermont it is the same thing, except that Vermont?s weather is even worse than New Hamshire?s. Take a look at the facts.

Burlington, Vermont

The climate in North Dakota is even worse than the climate in New Hampshire and Vermont. The average low temperature for the month of January is three degrees below zero. It is probably the worst weather in the whole country. Here are the facts.

Fargo, North Dakota

The climate in Montana is also significantly worse than the climate in Delaware. It has colder weather in the winter and warmer weather in the summer. For instance, the average low for the month of January is 14 degrees compared to 26 degrees in Delaware. Whereas the average. high for July is 86 degrees compared to 85 degrees in Delaware. Missoula has a climate similar to that of Billings, but it is a few degrees cooler in both winter and summer, with less precipitation. Here are the facts on Billings.

Billings, Montana

The temperatures in Alaska are similar to those in New Hampshire and Vermont. In other words, it is very cold in the winter. The average low temperature for January is 8 degrees. It is cooler in the summer than New Hampshire but altogether as you would expect, much worse whether than Delaware?s weather. Here are the facts.

Anchorage, Alaska

Lewiston, Idaho

Perhaps surprisingly, Idaho - in the lower elevations - is by far the hottest state under consideration. The temperatures in Idaho are equivalent in the winter time to those in Delaware but the summers are hotter than those in Delaware. Boise is even hotter than Lewiston, with virtual drought in summer.

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Cheyenne, Wyoming has a better climate than most of the cities presented, but it still has low precipitation, and it has the mildest climate in the state. Casper is much colder in winter and much hotter in summer.

These statistics are taken from the USA Today weather site. You can get the statistics for each state from this WebSite.

August 25, 2002

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of the Free State Project, its Officers, or Directors.