Embarking on a journey to study in the US? Preparing for this transformative part of your life can be both adventurous and overwhelming. It’s important to know about the admission and visa requirements, ways to settle into a new lifestyle, cultural differences, etc. Another key aspect is understanding the time zones and weather divisions in this country.
The United States spans from the Atlantic to the Pacific, which renders the time zones notably apparent. Different regions will have you adopting new schedules, travel time, communication, and economic activities. In this blog, we’ll explore how the time zones are divided by regions, and the different weather divisions involved.
Understanding the different time zones in the US
We live in an era of globalised communication. Awareness of time zones is crucial for any kind of international transaction, digital collaboration, and phone calls. Beyond these logistics, time zones can also impact cultural practices, and influence the way societies organise events, celebrations, and daily routines.
Therefore, let us explore the different time zones in America so it is easy to prepare for the region where you would be studying as an international student.
By law, the USA and its territories are designated to nine different time zones. However, while incorporating the time zones of uninhabited territories of Baker Island and Howland Island, the total time count extends to 11 time zones.
Four standard time zones are observed within the contiguous US states. Hawaii, Alaska and five US dependencies each run in different time zones. Furthermore, Hawaii and the five dependencies do not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST), which leads to only six corresponding DST time zones.
A 12th time zone named AoE or Anywhere on Earth is theoretically designated to Howland Island and Baker Island. These islands represent the farthest western points on Earth concerning the International Date Line. This marks the islands as the final locations where any date persists, thereby, being assigned to the AoE time zone.
Understanding the Generalised time zones in the US
Generic terms commonly identify the time zones in the contiguous US. They are not distinguished between Daylight Saving Time (DST) and Standard Time designations. For instance, ET or Eastern Time entails Eastern Daylight and Eastern Standard Time, depending on what is currently used. This further implies that the local time in these time zones changes when DST begins and concludes. Furthermore, daylight saving starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.
The time zones include:
| Time Zone | Offset | |
| Pacific Time | PT | UTC -8:00 / -7:00 |
| Mountain Time | MT | UTC -7:00 / -6:00 |
| Central Time | CT | UTC -6:00 / -5:00 |
| Eastern Time | ET | UTC -5:00 / -4:00 |
| Time Zone | Offset | |
| Hawaii-Aleutian Daylight Time | HDT | UTC -9 |
| Alaska Daylight Time | AKDT | UTC -8 |
| Pacific Daylight Time | PDT | UTC -7 |
| Mountain Daylight Time | MDT | UTC -6 |
| Central Daylight Time | CDT | UTC -5 |
| Eastern Daylight Time | EDT | UTC -4 |
Furthermore, US dependencies do not use DST. These are their time zones.
| Time Zone | Offset | Dependency | |
| Anywhere on Earth | AoE | UTC -12 | US Minor Outlying Islands |
| Samoa Standard Time | SST | UTC -11 | American Samoa |
| Samoa Standard Time | US Minor Outlying Islands | ||
| Atlantic Standard Time | AST | UTC -4 | Puerto Rico |
| Atlantic Standard Time | US Virgin Islands | ||
| Chamorro Standard Time | ChST | UTC +10 | Guam |
| Chamorro Standard Time | Northern Mariana Islands | ||
| Wake Time | WAKT | UTC +12 | US Minor Outlying Islands |
Climate zones in the US
The United States is the fourth largest country in the world with a landmass covering the North American continent, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the East and Pacific Ocean to the West.
The country’s extensive size and diverse topography give rise to a wide range of climatic zones. As a result, considerable temperature fluctuations are witnessed in certain regions. The US caters to different weather preferences, from temperate zones with distinct seasons to tropical zones with the sun shining throughout the year, and significant summer-to-winter temperature variations.
Northern Alaska or the Hawaiian Islands maintain consistent cold or hot climates throughout the year. However, the other regions need a closer look at their climate zones that differ through the year.
Climate in the Eastern USA
Temperate New England
New England states present a temperate climate with cool to mild winters and moderate to warm summers. Winter temperatures drop below 0°C and heavy snowfall, particularly in Maine and Vermont.
Continental Climate in the North
Annual temperature fluctuations are experienced in the North, exceeding 30 °C in some areas. Cities like Chicago witness cold to extremely cold winters and hot summers, with sudden weather changes and severe thunderstorms.
Subtropical South
New England is a northeastern region of the United States comprising the states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. A major part of the Southern United States falls under a subtropical climate. Hot and humid summers and mild winters are experienced in these states. However, whether divisions do exist throughout the year. The Northern part experiences cooler winters and snow, while areas near the Gulf of Mexico witness a spike in temperatures. Late summers risk tropical storms and hurricanes, while the region between the Appalachians and the Rocky Mountains is prone to tornado formations.
Climate in the Western USA
The West USA’s climate zones are shaped by mountain ranges from the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains, blocking the Pacific Ocean influences.
Climate in the Great Plains
The Great Plains are east of these mountains and they feature a dry continental climate clubbed with low precipitation and high-temperature changes. Winters are cold and long, while the summers are thundery and hot.
The climate in the Mountains
Mountainous regions experience increased precipitation and reduced temperatures with increasing elevation. The Rocky Mountains witness snowy winters in the north, while plateaus between the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada form arid deserts and semi-deserts.
Climate on the West Coast
The west coast is influenced by the Pacific Ocean. The Northern part, in Oregon and Washington, has an oceanic, temperate climate. Its summers are considerably cool with little precipitation, while the winters are humid and mild. Temperature fluctuations tend to be minimal throughout the year due to the proximity of the ocean which acts as a regulator. The coastal areas are likely to experience frost and snow.
In the South, in California, the climate along the Pacific coast is Mediterranean and subtropical. Winters are warm with high precipitation; summers are dry and hot.
Climate in Alaska
The polar and subpolar regions in Alaska witness extreme climates. At the same time, the interior region has a subpolar continental climate with significant temperature differences. Furthermore, the East and South coasts experience a temperate climate.
Climate on the Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands have a tropical climate with warm temperatures annually. While the high mountains are a little cooler, the islands witness distinct rainfall patterns from the rainiest places globally to lower precipitation.
Wherever you plan to study in the USA, make sure you consider the time zones and weather variations among other aspects.
FAQs
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Which is the best place in the US for me to study abroad based on the weather and time zone?
This really depends on the time difference gap between your country of origin and the US. Also, you may want to choose a region where the weather is closer to what you are used to or prefer.
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Can there be more than one time zone in a State in the US?
There are a total of 15 US States that have more than one time zone. They include:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Florida
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
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Why is it important to understand the time zone difference in the US?
Understanding the different time zones in the US can help you prepare for your journey as you travel here to study. Whichever region you choose, you will have to adjust your time and routine accordingly.
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Why is it essential to know about the weather divisions in the US?
You are an international student in a country that may be new to you in more ways than one. Among them is the weather where temperature fluctuations may be abrupt or mild throughout the year depending on the state and city you choose to study.