Blog Post

World's Sunniest Place: world record in Yuma, Arizona

Mar 21, 2023

Yuma, Arizona, United States--Known as the Sunniest City on Earth, Yuma, Arizona, shines the brightest at 91 percent of daylight hours per year (a mean of 4,055 hours per year of 4,456 possible); It has a total of 11 hours of sunlight in winter and up to 13 in summer, setting the world record for being the World's Sunniest Place, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

"If you enjoy sunshine and clear skies year-round, Yuma is your perfect destination. Known as the Sunniest City on Earth, Yuma shines the brightest at 91 percent of daylight hours per year (a mean of 4,055 hours per year of 4,456 possible). We are also the driest and least humid climate – your hair will thank you later," the Visit Yuma reports.

"Yuma only receives an annual rainfall of three inches*, so there is no need for rainboots or a raincoat. Even with all the sunshine, Yuma is not actually the hottest city. When fall approaches, Yuma enters a truly pleasant time of the year. The nights are cool and Yumans can finally pull out their cardigans and flannels, while you might still see out-of-town visitors in shorts as it never reaches extremely cold temperatures.

"Yuma winters allow for vegetables and citrus to flourish as hard freezes are rare. When the temperatures begin to rise again and the fresh smell of orange blossoms consume the air, you will know spring has begun."

"According to the World Meteorological Organization, Yuma (Arizona) is the sunniest place on earth. It has a total of 11 hours of sunlight in winter and up to 13 in summer. This means Yuma experiences an average of 4,015 hours of sunshine per year.

"At first this sounds fantastic. But it really isn’t that pleasant, since its 90,000+ inhabitants have to combat an arid climate, typical of the Sonora desert, which it forms part of," the Endesa reports.

"Rainfall does not exceed 200mm per year and temperatures exceed 40°C practically 100 days per year. It is a furnace that would leave you wishing for a winter’s rainy afternoon."

"Situated near the borders of California to the west and Mexico to the south, Yuma is a popular place to live. The weather alone is enough reason to move here; just ask the 100,000 residents who call Yuma home, or the additional 100,000 who spend winters in the southern paradise," the Only In Your State reports.

"The sun, the sand and the water here make the city the perfect destination for outdoor fun of all sorts. From Yuma Territorial Prison State Park to the East Wetlands and the variety of walking trails (like the ones found at Gateway Park), it's hard to deny the appeal found here.

"Additionally, the area is known for some weather extremes on top of being the Sunniest Spot in the World. The city (and surrounding area) is athe driest and least humid in the U.S. On average, Yuma only gets a little more than 3 inches of rain per year. Yet, waters from the Colorado River flow in and around Yuma, dishing up a refreshing splash of blue on the landscape that pairs perfectly with the forever-blue skies."

"Known as the "Sunniest City on Earth," according to Guinness World Records, Yuma promises sunshine and warm weather at least 91% of the year, making this city a premier travel destination year-round. Situated between Phoenix and San Diego, Yuma offers big city vibes with a small town, welcoming appeal," the Visit Arizona reports.

"Come experience a water lover's paradise at the Colorado River. Whether boating, jet skiing, floating down, or just taking a dip at one of the beaches, the river activities are endless. If you are more into land excursions, take an ATV over to the Imperial Sand Dunes or hike one of the many nature trails Yuma has to offer.

"Take in some of Yuma's richest history. The Yuma Territorial Prison is a must-see, with prison cells and artifacts immaculately preserved at the museum. The Sanguinetti House Museum holds some of Yuma's best-kept secrets, and the Colorado River State Historic Park is a favorite stop among visitors to learn more about this river's fascinating past. If you want to experience a rare, mesmerizing fluorescent mineral wall, the Hull Mine at Castle Dome Museum awaits you."

"Yuma (Cocopah: Yuum) is a city in and the county seat of Yuma County, Arizona, United States. The city's population was 93,064 at the 2010 census, up from the 2000 census population of 77,515.

"Yuma's weather also makes it an agricultural powerhouse, growing over 175 types of crops, the largest of which is lettuce. Yuma County provides 90% of all leafy vegetables grown from November to March in the United States. Yuma is also known for its large military population due to several military bases, including the Marine Corps Air Station.

"Yuma is noted for its weather extremes. Of any populated place in the contiguous United States, Yuma is the driest, the sunniest, and the least humid, has the lowest frequency of precipitation, and has the highest number of sunny days per year—175—with a daily maximum temperature of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher.

"The sun is said to shine during about 90% of the daylight hours, making Yuma one of the sunniest places in the world.[16] The city receives the most recorded mean sunshine of anywhere on Earth." (Wikipedia)