Best Time to Fly: Seasons and Weather by Destination
When is each destination at its best, and when is it busiest or at risk from weather? This table summarizes the main points from our destination pages. Click a city for airports, ground transport and more.
| Destination | Region | Seasonal note | Hurricane season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | Southeast | Spring and fall are mild. Summers are hot and humid with frequent afternoon storms. | No |
| Boston | Northeast | Fall foliage season (late September through October) is popular and tends to be expensive. Winter storms can disrupt travel. | No |
| Cancun | Mexico | December through April is the dry, peak season. Hurricane season runs June through November, and seasonal seaweed on some beaches is common in spring and summer. | Yes (June–Nov) |
| Chicago | Midwest | Late spring through early fall is the most pleasant stretch. Winter brings snow and cold that can cause delays. | No |
| Dallas | South Central | Spring and fall are the most comfortable. Spring can bring severe storms, and summer heat is intense. | No |
| Delhi | India | October to March is the most comfortable period. Summers are very hot, the monsoon runs from roughly July to September, and winter smog is common from November to January. | No |
| Denver | Mountain West | Ski season (roughly late November through April) and summer are the busiest periods. Winter storms can disrupt flights, and spring snow is not unusual. | No |
| Detroit | Midwest | Late spring to early fall is the most comfortable period. Winters are cold and snowy. | No |
| Dubai | United Arab Emirates | November through March is the most comfortable period. Summer is extremely hot, and the dates of Ramadan shift each year. | No |
| Fort Lauderdale | Southeast | The dry season, December through April, is the peak. Hurricane season runs June through November. | Yes (June–Nov) |
| Honolulu | Hawaii | Hawaii is warm year-round and busiest in winter and summer. Spring and fall shoulder seasons are often less expensive. | No |
| Houston | South Central | Fall through spring is the most comfortable period. Summers are hot and humid, and hurricane season runs June through November. | Yes (June–Nov) |
| Las Vegas | Southwest | Spring and fall are the most comfortable. Summer highs regularly pass 100°F, and winter evenings can be cool. Prices rise around major conventions, big sporting events and holiday weekends. | No |
| London | United Kingdom | Late spring through early autumn brings the mildest weather and the longest days. Winter is darker and wetter but often cheaper, with a price spike around the December holidays. | No |
| Los Angeles | West Coast | Spring and fall are comfortable. May and June often bring a coastal marine layer of morning cloud, and summer is a busy season. | No |
| Miami | Southeast | The dry season runs roughly from December through April, which is also the peak and most expensive period. Hurricane season runs from June through November. | Yes (June–Nov) |
| Minneapolis | Midwest | Summer is warm and filled with festivals. Winters are very cold, and snow is possible from October into April. | No |
| Mumbai | India | November to February is dry and pleasant. The monsoon from June to September brings heavy rain that can affect flights. | No |
| Nashville | South | Spring and fall are the most comfortable. Summers are humid, and weekends are often busy with events and group trips. | No |
| New Orleans | South | February through May and the fall are popular. Mardi Gras dates change each year, usually falling in February or March. Summers are hot, and hurricane season runs June to November. | Yes (June–Nov) |
| New York | Northeast | Spring (April to June) and fall (September to early November) bring the mildest weather. December fills up with holiday visitors, and late summer can be hot and humid. | No |
| Orlando | Southeast | Parks are busiest in summer, over spring break and in holiday weeks. Early fall and early December outside the holidays are often calmer. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. | Yes (June–Nov) |
| Paris | France | April to June and September to October are popular and comfortable. August is quieter in some neighborhoods as many residents travel, and the winter holiday season brings markets and crowds. | No |
| Philadelphia | Mid-Atlantic | Spring and fall are the most comfortable. Summers are hot and humid, and winter storms can disrupt flights. | No |
| Phoenix | Southwest | Winter and spring are the popular, milder seasons. Summer highs routinely top 100°F, which is why fares often soften then. | No |
| Rome | Italy | April to June and September to October are the most comfortable. August is hot, and Easter week is very busy. | No |
| San Diego | West Coast | The climate is mild year-round. Summer and holidays are busiest, and May and June often have morning cloud along the coast. | No |
| San Francisco | West Coast | Late summer and early fall tend to be the warmest and clearest months. Summer mornings are often foggy. | No |
| Seattle | Pacific Northwest | July through September is the driest and busiest period. From November to March it is rainy, and fares are often lower. | No |
| Tampa | Southeast | Winter and spring are dry and mild, which also makes them the peak season. Summers are hot with frequent storms, and hurricane season runs June to November. | Yes (June–Nov) |
| Tokyo | Japan | Late March to early April is the peak cherry blossom season, and autumn is also popular. Golden Week in late April and early May is very busy, and summer is hot and humid. | No |
| Toronto | Canada | Summer and early fall are the most popular. Winters are cold and snowy, and flights can be delayed by weather. | No |
| Washington, DC | Mid-Atlantic | Spring is popular for cherry blossoms in late March and early April. Fall is pleasant, and summer is hot and humid. | No |
Using the table
- Peak periods usually mean higher fares and fuller flights, so book earlier.
- Hurricane season runs from June through November in the Atlantic. Read the fare rules on changes before traveling then.
- Shoulder seasons can be calmer, but check local events that fill hotels and flights.
See also holiday and peak-season planning and when to book.