50 Most Humid Cities in the US

Ali Ahmed

Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 12:07 PM16 min read

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In this article, we will be covering 50 most humid cities in the US. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of the heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) systems market, you can go directly to 10 Most Humid Cities in the US.

In one of our previous articles about best places to live in the US, we mentioned that according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) there are several indicators of climate change that are already taking place. According to NASA, rising global temperatures are causing more frequent incidences of extreme heat and humidity, which are having a serious impact on human health. As heat and humidity levels rise, the demand for air conditioners and dehumidifiers is expected to increase while also creating new opportunities for innovation in the HVAC industry.

Before we look at the 50 most humid cities in the US, let’s first take a look at the HVAC systems market and what some of the major market players are up to.

HVAC: A Growing Market with Opportunities for Growth

HVAC systems regulate the temperature, humidity, and air quality of indoor spaces by transferring air between indoor and outdoor areas. They play a vital role in improving the quality of life for people around the world by maintaining humidity at an optimum comfort level and keeping the indoor environment healthy.

According to a report by Fortune Business Insights, the global HVAC systems market size was valued at $150.04 billion in 2022. The market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.5% during 2023-2030, propelling the market to reach a value of $228.74 billion by the end of the forecast period. The changing global climatic circumstances and the need to maintain a comfortable ambient environment indoors and in buildings are key factors that are expected to have a positive impact on the market over the forecast period. Previously, in an article about the oldest buildings in the world that are still in use, we discussed that the construction industry is poised for growth. Construction of private and government offices, convention centers, hotels, hospitals, and theme parks is expected to further augment market growth. Buildings use HVAC systems to maintain a comfortable environment inside. The growing construction industry is driving the demand for HVAC systems and new installations, especially in hot regions.

On July 24, Reuters reported that as Southern Europe battles extreme heat, people have started investing more in air-conditioning to keep cool. According to the report, air conditioner sales in Italy soared during a recent heatwave. Unieuro S.p.A. (BIT:UNIR), the largest Italian retailer of consumer electronics and household appliances, also reported a doubling of sales of air-conditioning products in the week to July 21 this year, compared to the same week last year. The report also mentions that according to a consumer organization in Spain, OCU, the rise in electricity prices previously might have discouraged people from installing air conditioning units, but the rising temperatures and heatwaves this year has led to more consumers investing in fixed units.

A Look at the Top Market Players

Some of the top market players that are expected to benefit from incidences of extreme heat and humidity as well as the flourishing construction industry include Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE:CARR), Lennox International Inc. (NYSE:LII), and Electrolux AB (STO:ELUX-B).

Headquartered in Stockholm, Electrolux AB (STO:ELUX-B) is a Swedish multinational home appliance manufacturer and ranks among the world's largest appliance makers by units sold. As a leading player in the HVAC industry, Electrolux AB (STO:ELUX-B) offers a wide range of HVAC systems to meet the needs of both residential and commercial customers. The company's products are known for their energy efficiency, reliability, and comfort. On September 15, Electrolux AB (STO:ELUX-B) announced that as part of their previously communicated plan to divest non-core assets with a potential value of SEK 10 billion, Electrolux AB (STO:ELUX-B) has sold its manufacturing facility in Nyíregyháza, Hungary to Swedish heat pump manufacturer Qvantum in exchange for a monetary consideration of around SEK 455 million. According to the announcement, the estimated profit of around SEK 300 million will be recorded as a non-recurring item, positively influencing the operating profit in its business area Europe in the third quarter of 2023.

On April 26, Reuters reported that air conditioner maker Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE:CARR) announced its acquisition of German industrial firm Viessmann Group's unit that makes heating boilers and heat pumps in a cash and stock transaction valued at EUR 12 billion. This deal, which has been approved by the board of both companies and is expected to close by the end of 2023, is expected to help Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE:CARR) access several sustainable technologies and services as well as profit from the rapid energy transition in Europe. As part of the deal, Viessmann Chief Executive Max Viessmann would join Carrier Global Corporation’s (NYSE:CARR) board.

Another major player in the HVAC industry is Lennox International Inc. (NYSE:LII), a leader in energy-efficient climate-control solutions. On August 25, Lennox International Inc. (NYSE:LII) announced that it has entered into a conclusive agreement to divest its Hyfra Process Cooling business unit in Germany. The European business is being sold to the Glen Dimplex Group, which is a privately owned international manufacturing group, and the transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2023. Alok Maskara, CEO of Lennox International Inc. (NYSE:LII), said that selling the European business will allow the company to focus on North America, where it is best positioned to grow revenue and profits.

On July 27, Lennox International Inc. (NYSE:LII) reported strong earnings for the fiscal second quarter of 2023. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $6.15, surpassing EPS estimates by $0.98. The company reported a revenue of $1.41 billion and outperformed revenue estimates by $28.54 million.

https://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/5-most-affordable-major-cities-in-the-u-s-942242/

Methodology

In this article, we have ranked the 50 most humid cities in the US. To rank the cities with the highest humidity levels, we consulted the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), which is a government website. This database provided us with Comparative Climatic Data information on average relative humidity levels in morning and afternoon for 263 selected cities, towns, and other places in the United States. We used the latest data available in their dataset for each location to calculate Annual Average Relative Humidity (%) for all the locations. We excluded locations that could not be classified as cities and then narrowed down our selection to rank the top 50 most humid cities in the US with the highest annual average relative humidity. 50 most humid cities in the US are listed below in ascending order.

50 Most Humid Cities in the US

50. Grand Rapids - Michigan

Annual Average Relative Humidity (%): 72

First up on our list of 50 most humid cities in the US is Grand Rapids, a city in the US state of Michigan. With the Grand River flowing through the center of the city and a humid continental climate, Grand Rapids has an annual average relative humidity of 72%.

Companies that are expected to benefit from rising humidity levels include Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE:CARR), Lennox International Inc. (NYSE:LII), and Electrolux AB (STO:ELUX-B).

49. Columbia - Missouri

Annual Average Relative Humidity (%): 72

Columbia is a city in central Missouri. Columbia has a humid continental climate and an annual average relative humidity of 72%.