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 theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information.

Related: The Coldest and Warmest Cities in Every State

Mean Rainfall: 51.47 inches

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

Related:The Most Underrated Town in Every State

Mean Rainfall: 52.40 inches

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

Related: 22 Locations From Famous Songs That You Can Actually Visit

Mean Rainfall:52.52 inches

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

For more fun trivia,please sign up for our free newsletters.

Mean Rainfall: 52.65 inches

Jackson gets precipitation of some kind112 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 average95 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 inFebruary (the wettest month) and skip September (the driest).

Mean Rainfall:54.57 inches

Huntsville sees the most rainy days inJuly, with an average of 12 days of rain, but the most precipitation in December with an average rainfall of nearly5 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 precipitation114 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 thedrought 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 inJuly; it receives, on average, 7.6 inches that month.  

Mean Rainfall:61.77 inches

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

Mean Rainfall:62.53 inches

Set on the Gulf of Alaska, Juneau’s rainfalldepends 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 inMarch. But if you love rainy days — or afternoon thunderstorms — you’ll love May to October.

Mean Rainfall: 63 inches

With only56 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 Hilo275 days a year with a drizzle often falling at night.