So consider the following article by Ed Darack "The 10 Best Weather Places in the World"
Splintering gale force winds, stabbing cold, blistering heat, blinding fog,
pitiless rain … the sky can foul our lives in endless ways to all degrees, from
the mild sting of an icy breeze on our ears to the lethal crush of a hurricane's
storm surge. Today, with seemingly endless terabytes of meteorological data from
around the globe, we can identify locales where the sky routinely and brutally
assails the land and anything on it. But what of those places on the polar
opposite of the atmosphere's very worst, where the sky consistently bathes the
land and its inhabitants with bliss, year round? Can we identify the very
best weather places in the world?
First we need to define “best” weather—for humans. We know that a temperature
of −90°F or 125°F will kill even the most hardy of us without adequate
protection from these conditions, but what weather best promotes overall health,
soothes and possibly even inspires us, never (or only rarely) nudging us even
slightly out of our margins of comfort? Can we define a hypothetical set of
atmospheric conditions that would optimize our very being, as humans?
We're all different; no “normal” exists throughout humanity for physical,
mental, and emotional well-being. Each of us has a unique personal outlook on
weather favorability and how the skies affect us—based on upbringing and direct
experience. Some of us prefer annual—and even diurnal—consistency of
temperature, a “place without seasons” where the “best weather is no weather at
all.” Others prefer locations with starkly delineated winters, springs, summers,
and falls. And some of us desire places where caprice rules the skies—hot,
grating winds one day, frigid showers the next. All of humanity, however, share
common traits and common needs rooted at much more fundamental levels of our
existence than that of our consciously learned preference for seasonality,
desire for inspiration from ephemeral rainbows and fleeting breezes, or
nostalgia for dawns smothered in blinding white snow. Weather affects many of
these fundamental needs—physical, mental, and emotional.
So by using a guiding rubic of “human fundamental needs,” we can compile a
hypothetical “perfect weather set” for optimal living, humanity-wide. First, we
can determine meteorological “best” criteria for ideal human physical, mental,
and emotional health that includes temperature, humidity, average number of
sunny days, and other criteria, by studying the results of research conducted on
environmental effects on humans. We can then describe our hypothetical best
weather set based on this information, and then we can analyze weather data from
around the world to discover the 10 places with weather nearest to this
hypothetical ideal. Truly objective and accurate? Of course not, since
statistical errors and other flaws in data collection—particularly with respect
to human mental and emotional fitness—sully even the most fastidiously conducted
research studies. Furthermore, weather stations dot the terrestrial planet
unequally, with some vast regions devoid of them and others—particularly in
urban areas—densely populated by them. A tiny, uninhabited valley that hosts
absolutely salubrious weather may never be “discovered” in this regard. That
said, we can make a solid attempt by adhering to the spirit of our
methodology.
Chemical reactions lie at the very root of all human bodily functions, from
those that create fanciful images in our dreams to those that cause muscle
contractions during a sprint. These reactions, collectively known as metabolism,
create heat (“body heat”) as a byproduct that the brain regulates to within +/−
1°F of 98.6°F, so that these reactions may proceed at ideal rates for normal
bodily functions. Temperatures above or below this alter the speeds at which
critical reactions proceed, adversely affecting a human's functional ability,
and potentially leading to death from hypothermia (too cold) or hyperthermia
(too hot). Called temperature homeostasis, or thermoregulation, the hypothalamus
of the human brain maintains the human body at its ideal temperature through a
complex, body-wide network of mechanisms. If too cold, we shiver—creating heat
through the chemical reactions involved in the muscle contraction process. If
too hot, we sweat, the evaporation of which cools blood carried directly under
the skin, and hence the body. Normal human metabolism, with its byproduct of
heat, proceeds optimally with an outside temperature substantially lower than
98.6°F. How much lower? Multiple studies over the years show that, at rest,
humans feel most comfortable and perform mental tasks best at a temperature of
68°F. Other studies have looked at heat and irritability, anger, violence, and
crime, and many produced results showing that the higher the temperature, the
more irritable, violent, angry, and aggressive we become. Our productivity and
apparent attractiveness (as viewed by others) decreases with increased
temperature.
We next look at humidity. Moist air impedes the body's ability to cool itself
through sweating, as the rate at which water evaporates and hence transports
heat from human skin decreases. However, moisture in the air moderates
environmental diurnal temperature fluctuations, keeping daily highs closer to
nightly lows than in dry environments. Dry air, on the other hand, causes and
exacerbates numerous problems in humans, including skin irritation, eye
irritation, nose bleeds, etc. The ideal humidity for humans? Study results vary,
but most determine 50% relative humidity to be optimal. As a side note, the
“heat index” uses a combination of actual air temperature and relative humidity
to derive human perceived temperature.
With respect to cloudiness and human emotional well being, a study published
in the
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, by Richard Lucas
and Nicole Lawless, found that people who dwell in sunnier areas tend to be
happier than those living in cloudier environments. They also found that rain
showers put people in a bad mood, but only briefly. However, caveats lurk. A
study in the journal
Emotion found that a small percentage felt worse
with sunnier, warmer weather. This may have more to do with increased
irritability due to heat, however, than the presence of bright sunshine (that
brought the heat). The Lucas/Lawless study also found that people who lived in
colder climates felt less happy and satisfied than those living in moderate or
warmer parts of the world. And what about wind? A study by researcher Jaap
Denissen of Berlin's Humboldt University found that wind had a negative effect
on human mood. And the changing of the seasons? Some studies revealed that
nearly 90% of us experience mood changes due to seasonal transitions, primarily
during the change of fall to winter, but also from the increased heat from
spring to summer.
So how do we describe humanity's hypothetical optimal weather place, known
for our purposes as (tongue residing a bit in cheek) “Anthro-Weathertopia”?
Winds don't blow in Anthro-Weathertopia, nor do any clouds dare drift above this
mythical place. Fog never invades this land, neither would the related smog,
should the inhabitants decide to build a factory. Despite the ideal state of sun
supremacy, however, the temperature never strays from 68°F throughout the day,
and remains at that level all night long, throughout the year—a year
experiencing no seasons, save for the effect of the tilt of the planet on day
length throughout the earth's revolution about the sun. The relative humidity in
Anthro-Weathertopia remains constant at 50%. Lightning, which starts fires,
never strikes here. And no lightning means no thunder, which shocks the business
ends of ears, causing a dramatic reduction in mental acuity and instills fear in
many. Hail, which at pea-sized stings and at grapefruit proportions might easily
kill, never falls. Hurricanes never smash ashore, nor do tornados grind through
the landscape. Devoid of what most would call “weather,” Anthro-Weathertopia
lies at sea level, providing the densest air for human inhabitants to breathe
most efficiently and providing the greatest protection from carcinogenic
ultraviolet radiation.
Nothing on our planet, of course, comes even remotely close to
Anthro-Weathertopia's ideal conditions. So then what 10 places, in increasing
order of similarity, come closest to this hypothetical meteorological
anthropocentric ideal?
10. Manjimup Region of the Extreme South West Region of Western
Australia
Derived from the concatenation of the Aboriginal words
Manjin (a
type of reed found in the area) and
up, meaning a gathering place, this
shire (inclusive of the town of the same name) lies in perhaps the loneliest
part of the country—the lush nub of land on the extreme southwestern corner of
Australia. Surrounded on three sides by the southern Indian Ocean, this part of
Australia experiences cool winters and warm summer months. According to data
taken from 1936-2013 by the Australian government's Bureau of Meteorology, the
average daily high temperature in February, the warmest month, is 81°F, with a
mean nighttime low of 56.1°F. The coldest month in the area, July, experiences a
mean maximum daily temperature of 58°F, and an average nighttime low of 43.5°F.
The area receives an annual average of 39 inches of rain, most of which comes in
the winter, with July being the rainiest month with 6.8 inches falling, on
average. Despite its hospitable overall weather regime, Manjimup does experience
extended periods of cold and rain, although rarely.
9. Coastal Western Cape, Southwestern South Africa
Where the South Atlantic and the Indian Oceans meet, this coastal strip
experiences relatively mild weather year-round. Cape Town, located along this
coastal strip, receives an average of just over 20 inches of rain per year, with
the winter months of June through August bringing the bulk of this
precipitation. Temperatures at Cape Town almost never drop below freezing, with
the record low being 29.7°F. July, the coldest month on average, experiences a
mean nighttime low of 44.6°F and an average daily high of 63.5°F. February, the
warmest month, sees an average daily high temperature of 79.7°F and a mean low
at night of 60.3°F. Cape Town is relatively sunny, yet temperate, however, hot
summer winds occasionally blow.
8. Adelaide, South Australia
The capital of the state of South Australia, Adelaide's weather and climate
are strongly influenced by the Indian Ocean, which moderates temperatures
throughout the year. The warmest month on average, February, witnesses a mean
daily high temperature of 84.7°F, with an average nighttime low of 62.8°F. The
coldest month, July, experiences a mean daily high temperature of 59.5°F and a
nighttime low of 45.5°F. Adelaide receives 21.5 inches of rain per year, with
the majority falling in the winter months of June through August. Despite the
predominantly moderate conditions, Adelaide can get hot, with seven months
(October through March) with record highs above 100°F.
7. Coastal San Diego Region of California
A global destination for beach lovers, the cool Pacific Ocean strongly
moderates San Diego's climate. Based on NOAA data measured at the city of San
Diego, the region experiences an average annual daily high of 69.7°F and an
average annual nighttime low of 57.5°F, with an overall daily mean annual
temperature of 63.6°F. The hottest month, August, experiences an average daily
high temperature of 76.4°F and a nighttime low of 66.7°F. San Diego's coldest
month, December, sees an average daily high of 64.7°F and a mean nighttime low
of 48.4°F. Each year, just over 10 inches of rain falls on San Diego, on
average, with the wettest month, February, seeing just over two inches of
rainfall. Only one hurricane has ever struck San Diego in its recorded history,
and according to the Tornado History Project, nine tornados (all relatively
mild, but tornados nevertheless) have struck the coastal San Diego region since
1980. Hot Santa Ana winds can blow through the region from late summer through
winter. Although not perfect, the coastal San Diego region does rank as ideal to
many.
6. Lisbon, Portugal
With an annual average daily high temperature of 70.7°F and nighttime low of
56.3°F, Lisbon ranks as one of the most comfortable major cities in the world.
Located on Portugal's Atlantic coast, which moderates the city's climate,
Lisbon's warmest month, August, sees an average daily high temperature of 82.9°F
and a mean nighttime low of 65.5°F. Lisbon's coldest month, January, experiences
an average daily high of 58.6°F and a nighttime low of 46.9°F. Lisbon receives
roughly 30.5 inches of rainfall, on average, every year, with the months of
November through February bringing the most precipitation.
5. Barcelona, Spain
Located in northeastern Spain along the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona
experiences an average daily high temperature of 69.1°F over the course of a
year, and an average nighttime low of 54.9°F. The coldest month in Barcelona,
January, experiences a nighttime low, on average, of 41.4°F and a daily mean
high of 56.5°F, according to the Spanish Meteorological Agency. The warmest
month, August, experiences an average daily high temperature of 84.2°F and a
mean nighttime low of 70.2°F. Barcelona receives just over 25 inches of rain per
year, has moderate relative humidity, and is relatively sunny throughout the
year.
4. Sassari, Sardinia
Located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea on northern Sardinia, Sassari
experiences some of the most comfortable weather on the planet. The average
annual daily high temperature for Sassari is 66.4°F, and the mean annual daily
low temperature is 53°F. August, the warmest month, sees an average daily high
temperature of 82°F and a mean nighttime low of 66°F. The coldest month in
Sassari, January, experiences a daily average high of 54°F and a nighttime low
of 43°F. Just under 27.5 inches of rain fall on Sassari annually, on average,
with most falling from fall through early spring.
3. Northwestern Coast of Morocco
Strongly moderated by cold currents of the Atlantic Ocean, the weather of the
northwestern coast of Morocco experiences little seasonal variability and
extremely mild temperatures year round. According to World Meteorological
Organization data for Casablanca, which lies in the heart of this region,
January experiences an average daily high of 63°F and a mean nighttime low of
45°F. The warmest month, August, experiences an average daily high of 80°F and a
nighttime low of 70°F. Just 5.75 inches of rain, on average, falls on Casablanca
during December, the wettest month. July, the driest month, experiences less
than half an inch. Severe weather conditions, of all types, almost never descend
on this coastline.
2. Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
The largest city in the Canary Islands, which lie in the Atlantic Ocean just
off the coast of southern Morocco, Las Palmas experiences one of the healthiest
climates for humans on the planet, with comfortable warmth throughout the year.
The annual daily mean temperature at Las Palmas is 69.3°F, with an annual daily
high of 74.7°F and an annual nighttime average low of 63.9°F, according to the
Spanish Meteorological Agency. The warmest months in Las Palmas, August and
September, each see average daily high temperatures of 80.8°F and mean nighttime
lows of 70.2°F. Just five inches of rain fall on Las Palmas, on average,
annually, with June through August having no rainfall whatsoever. Although Las
Palmas has copious sunlight, clear air, and little wind, it isn't without its
severe weather threats. In 2005, Tropical Storm Delta plowed through the Canary
Islands, causing substantial damage.
1. Viña del Mar, Chile
With an average annual high temperature of 66.2°F and yearly average
nighttime low of 55.1°F, and with only slight variation in temperature
throughout all of the months of a given year, Viña del Mar, on the central coast
of Chile, ranks as the best weather place in the world for humans. Flushed by
the cold Humboldt current of the Pacific Ocean, Viña del Mar sees an average
daily high temperature of just 75.2°F during its warmest month of January, with
an average nighttime low of 59°F in that month. The coldest month at Viña del
Mar, July, experiences a mean daily high of 59°F and an average nighttime low of
50°F. Each year, Viña del Mar receives just under 19 inches of rain, with most
falling in the winter months of June and July. Globally renowned for its white
sand beaches (and absolutely beautiful weather), and free from the threat of
ferocious cyclonic storms and tornadoes, Viña del Mar is not quite an
Anthro-Weathertopia, however, as fog can occasionally envelop the region.
ED DARACK is an independent writer and photographer.
Visit his website at darack.com.
