The 6 Warmest Places In The U.S. for Winter Sun
As the times get shorter and the primary actual chill of the season hits, American vacationers all begin dreaming of 1 factor: a heat, sunny escape. When we consider a real tropical U.S. getaway, one place springs to thoughts: Hawaii.
And let’s be clear, with common winter highs persistently hitting the 80s, the Hawaiian islands are the undisputed champion of American winter heat. But let’s be actual—a 10-hour flight, a 6-hour time distinction, and peak-season airfare is not a fast or low cost weekend getaway for a lot of the nation.


For tens of millions of Americans, the true problem is discovering real, T-shirt-and-sandals sunshine with out needing a full day of journey or a passport.
Here at Travel Off Path, we’re all about discovering that sensible, accessible different. We’ve carried out the analysis and crunched the numbers to seek out the warmest, sunniest locations you may fly to on the U.S. mainland this winter. These are the 6 warmest locations within the continental U.S. to get your dose of sunshine.
6. Yuma, Arizona
Average Winter High: 71°F (22°C)


Our listing kicks off with a vacation spot that trades seashores for pure, unadulterated sunshine. Yuma, Arizona, holds the official Guinness World Record because the “Sunniest City on Earth,” boasting over 4,000 hours of solar yearly. While its desert location means the nights can get chilly, the winter days are characterised by clear blue skies and completely nice, spring-like highs.
This is the best “snowbird” escape for vacationers who wish to commerce their grey, overcast skies for assured solar. It’s a haven for {golfing}, mountaineering within the close by Kofa Mountains, or just studying a e-book by the pool.
5. Orlando, Florida
Average Winter High: 73°F (23°C)


While most individuals affiliate Orlando with theme parks, its implausible winter climate is a big a part of its attraction. Visiting in January or February is the final word “travel hack” for anybody planning a visit to Walt Disney World or Universal Studios. You get to discover the parks and wait in line without the brutal, oppressive 100-degree humidity of a Florida summer time.
While Central Florida is extra vulnerable to occasional chilly snaps than the southern coast, the common every day excessive stays impressively delicate. You might have a lightweight jacket for cooler evenings, however the days are virtually at all times nice sufficient for a t-shirt, making it an ideal winter escape for households.
4. Brownsville, Texas
Average Winter High: 73°F (23°C)
This is essentially the most “off the beaten path” vacation spot on our listing, and it is a implausible secret for these within the know. Located within the deep Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville is the gateway to South Padre Island, Texas’s solely true tropical-ish vacation spot.
Sharing the same latitude to Miami, this area enjoys among the mildest winters on the mainland. It’s a beautiful, unpretentious different to Florida, providing miles of wide-open seashores, world-class birding, and a novel Tex-Mex tradition. For a warm-weather highway journey, this “Texas Riviera” is a savvy and reasonably priced alternative.
3. Key West, Florida
Average Winter High: 76°F (24°C)


If you are wanting for a real “no passport needed” Caribbean vibe, Key West is your answer. As the southernmost level within the continental United States, it’s the solely metropolis within the decrease 48 that has by no means as soon as recorded a frost or a freeze.
The climate right here is virtually assured to be delicate and tropical. But Key West is not simply heat; it is a complete vibe. From the quirky appeal of Duval Street and the historic properties to the legendary sundown celebrations at Mallory Square, that is the final word laid-back escape. It’s as shut as you will get to a Caribbean island with out leaving the nation.
2. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Average Winter High: 77°F (25°C)


Want the identical excellent climate as Miami however with a extra laid-back vibe and (typically) cheaper flights? Fort Lauderdale is the smart alternative. It shares the identical “Gold Coast” local weather however strikes at a barely slower, extra relaxed tempo.
Known because the “Venice of America,” you may spend your days exploring the town’s well-known inland canals, enjoyable on the attractive and clear Fort Lauderdale seaside, or having fun with the upscale outlets and eating places of Las Olas Boulevard. As a significant hub for budget-friendly airways, it is also one of the accessible and reasonably priced gateways to assured winter solar.
1. Miami, Florida
Average Winter High: 78°F (26°C)


Welcome to the king of American winter solar. Miami is the one main metropolis on the U.S. mainland that boasts a real tropical local weather, and in winter, it really shines. Its far-south latitude and the warming affect of the Atlantic’s Gulf Stream act as a strong defend towards the chilly fronts that plague the remainder of the nation.
While different locations on this listing are “mild,” Miami is genuinely heat. This is essentially the most dependable place on the mainland to expertise true, lay-on-the-sand, go-for-a-swim “beach weather” in the course of January. Whether you are in it for the artwork deco glamour of South Beach, the colourful tradition of Little Havana, or the world-class meals scene, Miami is the undisputed champion for a scorching winter getaway.
Sunny U.S. Destinations: The Winter Forecast
How heat is it, actually? Click on a vacation spot beneath to disclose the common winter excessive temperature in Fahrenheit.
80°F (The undisputed champion for true tropical warmth)
78°F (The most dependable “beach weather” on the mainland)
77°F (Shares the identical excellent “Gold Coast” tropical local weather)
76°F (A real tropical vibe, because it’s by no means had a frost or freeze)
73°F (An underrated and reasonably priced “Texas Riviera” escape)
73°F (Pleasantly delicate days, excellent for theme parks with out the humidity)
71°F (The “Sunniest City on Earth,” a haven for pure sunshine)
So whereas a visit to Hawaii is at all times a implausible concept, you do not have to interrupt the financial institution or spend 10 hours on a aircraft to discover a correct winter escape. These six mainland locations show you may commerce the winter chilly for a sunny, 70-degree day, all without ever needing a passport.
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