No offense North Dakota or any other upper Midwest states, but if I’m offered an assignment up north, especially during the tundra mimicking months, I’m going to consider only briefly, then respectively say “heck NO!”
Weather and other naturally occurring variables can very well be taken into account when deciding on travel assignments. Depending on the time of year, locations based on individual preference can end up being miserable or ideal. Here are a few factoids (some obvious, some not) to consider when thinking about travel assignment locations:
- It can get just plain cold from about October to about April for the northern two-thirds of the continental U.S.
- North Dakota’s climate during the summer months provides some of the most comfortable temperatures anywhere, averaging 70s – 80s with low humidity
- Roughly June to September is considered monsoon season for Arizona and New Mexico. These states see more than their fair share of severe thunderstorms during this time of year. Besides being very hot, it rains!
- During summer months, it’s scorching hot from the California desert east to Florida. Florida, and any state east of the Rockies, especially the further south you go, is VERY humid. The air is so thick, you can hardly breathe if you’re not used to it. If you’re lucky some areas, like Palm Springs have “misters” in public outdoor venues to help cool the air from 120 to a bearable 105 degrees.
- Fall, in most parts of the country where deciduous forest exists, offers wonderful foliage, but the northeast/mid-atlantic might offer the best/longest autumn in regards to color changes and temperatures.
- The Pacific Northwest is beautiful but has more wet/cloudy conditions than other parts of the country on average, with the exception of your higher-desert areas. Temperatures are not as extreme or more moderate throughout the course of the year.
- The South is appealing to many while the North is cold. Just remember it’s also appealing to other traveling therapists. Expect a bit more competition during certain times of the year.
- Midwest can get extremely hot in the summer and extremely cold during the winter. Storm-chasing is best during the winter to spring transition (April to June).
- Alaska, it’s not weather, but consider how much sunlight there is during certain parts of the year. During typical winter months, remember there is little to no sunlight. In the summer months, the sun may never go down completely.
- San Diego, probably the nicest/consistent climate in all the mainland.
Of course all these factoids can vary depending on weather phenomenon like extreme El Nino or La Nina patterns, but for the most part hold true. Locations appeal for many different reasons, but depending on the time of year, weather trends can impact your travel experience.
One major consideration, with all of this weather information, is that you can make more money if you’re willing to go work in a location during its “extreme” season. Consider Arizona during the late summer or the upper Midwest during the winter.
This information is not based on actual climatological data nor do I have my American Meteorological Seal of Approval. It’s from years of being a weather buff, working for almost 10 years professionally in weather forecasting/climatology and life experience. For whatever that’s worth, hope you enjoy the tidbits.