States with the most sunshine

CaptainForest · Jun 9, 2006, 09:01 PM

US States that are furthest south would get the most sunshine.

The closeer you get to the equator, the more sunshine you get.

Since my and WA are the most northern states on the continental USA, it makes sense they have the least amount of sunshine.

Really, any southern state would give you the most.

My guess is Florida would be number 1 though. Its nickname is the Sunshine State!

rudi_in · Jun 9, 2006, 10:19 PM

Thank you for posting your question to the Ask Me Help Desk.

Actually, all parts of the globe see just about the same amount of daytime hours as any other part. About 6 months of each.

The equator does not see more sun per se but rather a greater intensity of sunshine. The equator sees an equal 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night year round. So there is very little seasonal difference in that area.

The 23 1/2

valinors_sorrow · Jun 10, 2006, 08:27 AM

Ummm, I think Matteson was talking more about actual sunny weather instead of hours of daylight?

Look here:
http://www.weathertoday.net/weatherfacts.htm

It sort of challenges the notion of Florida being the "Sunshine State" doesn't it?

J_9 · Jun 10, 2006, 08:37 AM

Here in Tenn I think sometimes we tend to get too much sunshine!

Never seem to get any couldy gloomy days that are good for relaxing.

rudi_in · Jun 10, 2006, 09:07 AM

Interesting statistics on that site Val.

I think you are right that matteson meant sunny days as opposed to daylight but since matteson brought up the idea of seasonal affective disorder, I thought it might be appropriate to discuss daylight hours since SAD is generally linked to the body's response to less daylight in the winter.

I know that I sometimes get irritable when I get a week of gloomy weather and rain. Living in an area on the windward side of the Rockies such as Washington would drive me nuts. Perhaps this is the case? I do not know - I am not a doctor.

Matteson, has your family been formally diagnosed with SAD by the doctor? Most cases of SAD should be cleared up by now as we are in June with symptoms to reappear come Thanksgiving time.

J_9 · Jun 10, 2006, 09:53 AM

Something that may help, I have heard it prescribed by a doctor, are daylight lights.

We have them in our kitchen. They are lights that literally mimick daylight and it does look like daylight in my kitchen at midnights. You really can tell a difference.

orange · Jun 10, 2006, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valinors_sorrow

Ummm, I think Matteson was talking more about actual sunny weather instead of hours of daylight?

Yes I agree! Tried to give you reputation but couldn't.. Sigh.

Here in Canada, the province I live in, Saskatchewan, is the sunniest in the country, with an average of about 2500 hours of sunlight per year. It's also very sunny here in winter... So much so that you need to wear sunglasses to avoid the "snow glare". Alberta is close behind Saskatchewan for total sunlight.

It makes sense that the cities in the US that are the sunniest are also the driest. That is the same here.

valinors_sorrow · Jun 10, 2006, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J_9

Something that may help, I have heard it prescribed by a doctor, are daylight lights.We have them in our kitchen. They are lights that literally mimick daylight and it does look like daylight in my kitchen at midnights. You really can tell a difference.

I always wondered how well those worked - thanks, that was helpful and I'm not the one even asking the question!

talaniman · Jun 10, 2006, 01:54 PM

May I submit the GREAT STATE of TEXAS as the sunniest state in the union! WE wear our sun glasses at night. You have to like 100 degrees to live here though.

States with the most sunshine

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