Six Great Destinations for Extreme-Weather Fans
Including the driest place on Earth, where rain has never been recorded.
1. Stormiest: Tofino, B.C., Canada
Tofino gets 100 inches of rain per year, waves exploding in 40-foot-high sea foam and frequent high winds. Stay at the Wickannish Inn, where storm watching is a main event.
2. Coldest: Antarctica
The temperature here has dropped as low as -128.6 degrees F, but you can take Quark Expeditions’ well-heated ship, The Sea Spirit, where the only thing “open” is the bar.
3. Hottest: Death Valley, CA
Summer temperature here has hit 134 degrees F, almost hot enough to melt sand. Experience Death Valley at the The Oasis at Death Valley but not in summer.
4. Driest: Atacama Desert, northern Chile
The Atacama is the driest place on Earth, where rain has never been recorded. Rake it in at the Tierra Atacama.
5. Wettest: Snowdonia, Wales
With 200+ inches of precipitation per year, you may want to pack a whole suitcase with umbrellas, raincoats and boots. Dry off at the Portmeirion Hotel or Castell Deudraeth.
6. Windiest: Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Even on sunny summer days, the wind here can exceed 70 miles her hour. Feel its power, then relax at the Singular Patagonia or the Explora in Patagonia.