Sunshine is the forecast for Tuesday across most of the United States. It may be a surprise after a record hurricane season and recent snow as far south as New Mexico but for today, election day, it is the case for most. But the US covers a large area over diverse geography so there is always “weather” going on.

In the Pacific state of Washington, rain is already falling and edging into Oregon. Seattle’s rain will keep the temperature at 13 degrees Celsius (55 Fahrenheit). For Seattle, this is pretty average.

You might have expected severe cold having seen how everyone was dressed in the flurry of last-minute rallies. And there is a cold wind blowing across the Great Lakes and New England.

People line up to vote at the James Weldon Johnson School on election day in Harlem in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, United States [Andrew Kelly/Reuters]
Burlington in Vermont started the day below freezing and will not exceed 3C (39F) today, and that is before the windchill is added. Added to that, upper New York State, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine will probably see a little snow.

Pennsylvania is in a cold wind, too, but this will ease in the sunshine and Pittsburgh will hit 11C (52F) as the breeze drops. Likewise, Cleveland, Ohio after a cold start should get up to 13C (55F) in the sunshine and falling breeze.

Voters line up at a polling station on election day in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States [Sam Wolfe/Reuters]
In unsurprising contrast, Florida is temporarily shower-free and warm, but not sunny and hot. In a stiff northeast breeze that is carrying cotton-wool clouds, Miami might reach 24C (75F), about 5C below average.

There is a small chance of a shower in southern Florida; Hurricane Eta, hundreds of kilometres away over Nicaragua, is helping to align the showers over the Bahamas and they may clip Florida.

Georgia has lost its warm and humid feel but Atlanta should have a sunny day and climb to a below-average 17C (63F).

Arizona is hot and sunny, about 6 degrees C above average for this time of the year at 33C (91F) by the afternoon. This is enough to prompt one or two thunderstorms.