Latest news with #sunnydays
ABC News
28-06-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Rain-shadow effect inspires Mareeba's claim to 300 sunny days a year
Far North Queensland may be renowned for its rainforests, monsoons and cyclones, but nestled in heart of the wet tropics one town claims to be a literal ray of sunshine. Proudly boasting 300 sunny days a year, Mareeba, near the Atherton Tablelands on the range west of Cairns, is just 180 kilometres north of Australia's wettest town, Tully. But while Mareeba is known for its clear days, whether or not the marketing matches the weather records is more cloudy. The Bureau of Meteorology's Livio Regano said Mareeba did have a drier climate compared to other parts of the region, due to a "rain-shadow" effect. "It just means that if you're behind a big range and the eastern side catches the moisture, most of the rain falls on that side and by the time the air comes over the other side, it's already dried out a bit," Mr Regano said. "The moisture has been rung out on the eastern side like a wet sponge getting squeezed and there's nothing left in it. "On the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range, you're in a rain shadow, and that includes most of the Atherton Tablelands." While it makes for a pleasant climate, Mr Regano said the "300 days of sun" claim was harder to substantiate. To accurately measure sunshine statistics, a sunshine recorder is needed. Mareeba does not have one. But there is a weather station at the airport, which has recorded an average 86 clear days, and 95 cloudy days per year. "That nowhere near adds up to 300 sunny days a year, unless your definition of sunshine is that the sun pokes through the cloud, at least for one minute every day," Mr Regano said. When comparing the days of sun in Mareeba to other towns and cities in different parts of Australia, it doesn't quite make the leaderboard. "It's not comparable with what they have, for example, in the Burdekin and around Townsville — you know the Townsville Dome as we all call it," he said. Gaining traction in the 1990s, the tagline "300 sunny days a year" became popular as the once-thriving tobacco industry declined, and Mareeba sought a fresh identity. Rochelle Harding from the Mareeba Shire Council, which erected a sign with the slogan, said the sunny weather had proven to be one of the town's greatest assets, especially for tourism. "It's an ideal location for recreational flyers with access to the Mareeba Airport and for hot air ballooning," she said. "Mountain bikers, hikers and campers benefit from the reliable weather, with easier access to outback stations and trails. "Mareeba's climate also attracts grey nomads, who enjoy the warm, dry conditions while camping and exploring the region at their leisure." The official records are one thing, but for Peter Howe from Rock Ridge Farming, the proof is in the avocados and bananas he grows in both Mareeba and the Atherton Tablelands. He said although his blocks were relatively close in proximity, he noticed the difference in production and climate. "We've got we got ladyfingers [bananas] down at Mareeba and in Atherton, and there's a about a four-week delay on the ones in Atherton coming in versus Mareeba," he said. Mr Howe said picking bananas was also more efficient in sunny conditions, and bigger bunches were produced. "You just need sunshine to make everything grow and perform," he said.
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Travel + Leisure
24-06-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This Is the Sunniest City in the U.S. With 211 Days of Sunshine a Year—and It's Nicknamed 'the Valley of the Sun'
There's nothing quite like basking in the sun on a glorious, care-free vacation day. However, if you're like the average American, you only get about two full weeks off a year. That means you really need to use those days wisely. Luckily, a new study is highlighting exactly where you should go on a domestic getaway filled with plenty of sunshine. In early June, released its findings on the eight sunniest cities in the U.S., as part of its overall Best Places to Live in America list. To help people find the sunniest places for a trip, or to call their forever home, the team compared the annual average number of clear days in each city via data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It added that "eligible cities must also qualify for our Best Cities in America ranking," ensuring they are all-around top choices. After doing all that digging, it named Phoenix the sunniest spot. "Phoenix, known as 'The Valley of the Sun,' earns its nickname with an impressive 211 sunny days each year, making it the sunniest city in the United States," the findings shared. As for what makes it a special place, the site pulled one of its resident reviews, which explained, 'Phoenix is a dynamic, growing city that offers a mix of urban and suburban living. The weather is sunny nearly year-round, which is great for outdoor activities in spring, fall, and winter, though summers are intensely hot.' Joining Phoenix at the top of the list is another western desert destination, Las Vegas. According to the findings, the No. 2 location sees 210 days of sun a year, giving you plenty of chances to work on your tan. Clocking in at No. 3 is Fresno, California, which sees an impressive 194 days of sun a year. In reviews, "residents describe Fresno as having the convenience of a city with a small town feel," making it ultra charming. Rounding out the top five are El Paso, Texas, at No. 4, with 193 days of sun per year, and Tucson, Arizona, at No. 5, also with 193 days of sun per year. However, Tucson ranked slightly lower due to its overall Niche grade of B+, which is slightly lower than El Paso's A- grade. The rest of the list is made up of predictably sunny California destinations, which you can check out at
