The Rainiest Place in America Isn't Where You Think

If asked to picture the rainiest place in the U.S., you might immediately summon images of the Pacific Northwest where the fog seems to hover nearly every day and the rain with it. But the U.S.’ varied weather patterns cause a lot of variation from coast to coast, and in its non-contiguous states, too. We’ve compiled a list of the 20 rainiest cities in the U.S., ranked from least to most. Read on to discover where you may want to vacation or relocate — or where you want to avoid, depending on your preference.

All mean precipitations are compiled from weather data collected from 1981-2010 and reported on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information.

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Mean Rainfall: 51.47 inches

Rain falls on this southern city every month. The rainiest month is November. If you’re looking for clear skies, you’re most likely to find them in August (the least rainy month).   

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Mean Rainfall: 52.40 inches

Already receiving a steady downpour, Chattanooga is stormier than usual. It received 20% more rain in 2021 than average.

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Mean Rainfall: 52.52 inches

If you love singing in the rain, head to Jacksonville in September. It receives around 8 inches of rain that month alone.  

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Mean Rainfall: 52.65 inches

Jackson gets precipitation of some kind 112 days a year. Even splashing around with more than 50 inches of rain a year, that still leaves plenty of sunny days in the forecast.

Mean Rainfall: 53.16 inches

Rain, snow, sleet, and hail are all common in Montgomery, where precipitation falls on average 95 days a year.

Mean Rainfall: 53.49 inches

The eighth largest city in Louisiana, Monroe’s northwest location gives it a humid, subtropical climate. Summer often brings severe weather, with heavy rain and hail.

Mean Rainfall: 53.66 inches

Houston’s monsoon season runs from May to October, when the city is most likely to receive rain and encounter flooding.

Mean Rainfall: 53.76 inches

Memphis is the rainiest city in Tennessee, which has three entries in the top 20 list of rainiest U.S. cities. April (the wettest month) and August (the driest month) bookend Memphis’ summers.

Mean Rainfall: 53.82 inches

This central Alabama city ticks off rain 112 days a year.

Mean Rainfall: 54.25 inches

If you love rainy days, head to Jackson in February (the wettest month) and skip September (the driest).

Mean Rainfall: 54.57 inches

Huntsville sees the most rainy days in July, with an average of 12 days of rain, but the most precipitation in December with an average rainfall of nearly 5 inches.

Mean Rainfall: 55.05 inches

Kicking off the top 10 rainiest places in the U.S., Tupelo is also the rainiest city in Mississippi. It receives precipitation 114 days a year.

Mean Rainfall: 55.32 inches

This city hugging the Gulf Coast receives a lot of rain, but you wouldn’t know it from the drought the city experienced in early 2022. It got back on track by setting a rainfall record on April 29 with 4.1 inches, nearly three times the previous record for that day.

Mean Rainfall: 56.82 inches

This coastal city sees the most showers in July; it receives, on average, 7.6 inches that month.  

Mean Rainfall: 61.77 inches

It rains cats and dogs in Miami from May to September, the city’s monsoon season.

Mean Rainfall: 62.53 inches

Set on the Gulf of Alaska, Juneau’s rainfall depends largely on the year. The precipitation can vary between 50 and 90 inches.

Mean Rainfall: 62.68 inches

For clear skies, head to West Palm Beach in March. But if you love rainy days — or afternoon thunderstorms — you’ll love May to October.

Mean Rainfall: 63 inches

With only 56 rainy days per year, New Orleans knocks out its mean 63 inches in deluges.

Mean Rainfall: 66.77 inches

With a record four cities in the top 20 rainiest places, Alabama is drenched. Mobile is the state’s rainiest city. Its 59 days of rain a year mean the Gulf Coast city tallies its precipitation through thunderstorms.

Mean Rainfall: 127.41 inches

Hawaii may be a tropical paradise, but all that lush greenery needs moisture. It rains in Hilo 275 days a year with a drizzle often falling at night.