The 10 Cloudiest Cities in the U.S., Ranked
Weather can define a region and its identity. For example, coastal cities like Astoria, OR, spend two-thirds of the year under a blanket of clouds, whereas desert cities such as Phoenix, AZ, generally see clear skies year-round.
When deciding where to live, weather and climate are an important consideration. Perhaps you like warmer, sunnier weather, or maybe you like it rainy – knowing which type of weather you thrive in when choosing a city to live in is important. So, if you’re planning to move somewhere new, read on to discover the cloudiest cities in the U.S. and see if they’re right for you.
How we define cloudy weather
Before we dive into the cloudiest cities, let’s define what cloudy weather actually means. Cloudiness is divided up into four categories: mostly clear (or sunny if during daytime hours), partly cloudy/sunny, mostly cloudy, and cloudy/overcast.
- Mostly clear: 1/8th of the sky is covered by clouds
- Partly cloudy: 3/8-5/8ths of the sky is covered by clouds
- Mostly cloudy: 6/8-7/8ths of the sky is covered by clouds
- Cloudy: 7/8ths or more of the sky is covered by clouds.
This list of cities focuses on the last category, cloudy. Keep reading to see our ranking of the cloudiest cities with over 100,000 residents based on their annual number of cloudy days.
What are the cloudiest cities in the U.S.?
1. Anchorage, Alaska
239 cloudy days per year
The northernmost major city in the U.S. is also the cloudiest city in the U.S. Anchorage, AK spends over 65% of the year under dense cloud-cover, mostly because of its large-scale atmospheric rivers and proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Surprisingly, the city sees more dense cloud cover during the summer months.
Anchorage is known for its abundance of wild and dramatic landscapes, many of which are within a short drive. If you’re planning on moving to Anchorage, be sure to take advantage of the long summer daylight and great northern lights viewing. Be warned, though; it’s also the second-coldest major city in the U.S, and climate change may be leading to warmer and snowier winters.
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2. Seattle, Washington
226 cloudy days per year
The poster city for the pacific northwest, Seattle, WA is an outdoorsy, fast-growing city set on the Puget Sound between the Cascade and Olympic mountains. It’s also very gloomy, although this can be a point of pride among locals.
The Seattle area receives fairly consistent rainfall and cloud cover for a majority of the year, thanks to weather from the Pacific. With the iconic Mount Rainier (Tahoma) as a backdrop, this city is famous for its recreational activities and tech-focused culture. Popular tourist attractions include Pike Place Market, the Amazon Spheres, the Space Needle, and the Seattle Great Wheel.
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3. Portland, Oregon
222 cloudy days per year
Portland, OR is a famously quirky city that spends a lot of time underneath a layer of clouds. Many locals prefer it this way. Similar to Seattle, Portland’s climate is heavily influenced by the Pacific Ocean, although it’s a bit warmer and drier. Four distinct seasons make for sunny summers and cool winters.
Portland is home to numerous niche restaurants, boutique shops, and local breweries, all of which are easily accessible by public transportation. Many locals prefer walking or cycling around the navigable streets, too. Outdoor enthusiasts love Forest Park, the largest urban forest in the country. The city is also close to the Columbia Gorge and the beautiful Oregon coastline, both popular tourist destinations.
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4. Eugene, Oregon
209 cloudy days per year
The birthplace of Nike, Eugene, OR is an outdoorsy haven. As it’s just two hours south of Portland, their climates are very similar. Known as TrackTown USA, Eugene hosts Olympic trials and large football games at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field.
Eugene is perfect if you’re looking to move to a mid-sized city with a small, college-town feel. It’s also a great vacation spot for those looking for craft breweries and wineries in the Pacific Northwest. Plus, you get easy access to both the coast and mountains. The city has seen steady population growth over the past 30 years thanks to these amenities.
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5. Buffalo, New York
208 cloudy days per year
Famous for its snowy winters and lively sports scene, Buffalo, NY is the fifth-cloudiest city in the country. It’s close to Niagara Falls and only a short trip from the Big Apple, making it a great spot to move to. The city is also known for its social activism and progressive arts scene.
Buffalo sees a lot of its cloud-cover because of its location downwind from the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Erie. Cooler air blowing across the milder lake picks up moisture and forms clouds, often also dropping rain or snow. This phenomenon is known as the lake effect. The lake effect is particularly common from late fall through early spring and can result in very heavy snowfall.
Interestingly, when looking at the number of days a city is at least partly cloudy (3/8ths covered by clouds), Buffalo tops the list at 310 days, narrowly beating out Anchorage and Seattle. This translates to 85% of the entire year. Other Rust Belt cities are similarly cloudy.
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6. Salem, Oregon
208 cloudy days per year
Located in the heart of the idyllic Willamette Valley, Salem, OR is a small college city that doubles as the state capitol. The ocean to the west and mountains to the east provide fairly cool and cloudy weather throughout the year, although summer is generally warm and sunny.
The area features dozens of wineries and vineyards and is popular with wine connoisseurs looking for local tastings. The capitol building is an attraction in itself and features art from local artists. Salem is also known for hosting the Oregon State Fair and numerous festivals throughout the year.
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7. Grand Rapids, Michigan
205 cloudy days per year
Grand Rapids, MI is a booming, beautiful city with famous food and craft beverage attractions. Known as Beer City, it’s situated near Lake Michigan and only a short day-trip away from Detroit. The Beer City Ale Trail is what most people follow to experience the wonderful variety of craft breweries.
Grand Rapids receives significant snowfall during the winter and is fairly drizzly during the fall and spring, similar to other cities near the Great Lakes. Cloudy, gloomy weather is the norm outside of the summer months.
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8. Syracuse, New York
205 cloudy days per year
Nestled between Lake Ontario, Lake Onondaga, and Oneida Lake, Syracuse, NY is a big city that offers a distinct small-town feel. Like nearby Buffalo, the city receives a lot of cloud cover due to its proximity to the Great Lakes, but it’s an outdoor haven nonetheless. The Erie Canal, Chittenango Falls, Labrador Hollow, and more highlight the Finger Lake region’s beauty.
The Great New York State Fair is a popular annual attraction in the summer, while abundantly snowy winters (more than 120 inches!) and great music highlight the winter months.
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9. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
203 cloudy days per year
Pittsburgh, PA has a similar climate to other cities near the Great Lakes; much of the region’s cloudy weather comes during fall through spring, depending on wind direction. Pittsburgh is situated on the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, which meet to form the Ohio River.
Known as Steel City, Pittsburgh has a lot going for it. Outdoor recreation, museums, iconic cuisine, and an industrial past make for a fulfilling place to call home. The Strip is especially popular for shoppers and those looking to connect with locals.
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10. Cleveland, Ohio
202 cloudy days per year
Rounding out the list of cloudiest cities in the U.S. is Cleveland, OH. Similar to other Rust Belt cities, most cloudy days occur during the winter months because of weather patterns over Lake Erie and surrounding areas. Summers are generally warm and humid.
If you’re living in Cleveland or considering moving, there are multiple attractions that may draw your attention. These include numerous sports teams, large parks, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The city is also known for the Lake Erie Waterfront and Historic West Side Market – perfect for enjoying the brief summer weather with friends and family.
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What is the cloudiest place in the country?
The outright cloudiest place in the United States is Cold Bay, Alaska. With 304 cloudy days per year, the small Aleutian town sees nearly complete cloud cover more than 75% of the time. It recently saw its cloudiest start to summer for over 30 years.
Cold Bay was home to an air base during WWII, much of which is still standing. The region is filled with gigantic parks and wildlife preserves that are perfect for recreation and adventure.
However, the Aleutian Islands are seeing some of the most dramatic impacts from climate change, especially biodiversity loss. The Aleutians already have a very windy, wild, and highly varied climate thanks to the semi-permanent “Aleutian Low,” and it’s expected to become more extreme and unpredictable in the coming decades.
Methodology
This list contains annual cloud cover data for major cities with over 100,000 residents. Comparative Climatic Data was obtained from a 2020 review by the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and its parent administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
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