Some prefer sunny weather, while others like the rain. While Sunny’s cities have been a popular migration destination that has continued the pandemic, Rainier cities are often more affordable and have many advantages, including cleaner, more fragrant air and lush nature.
So, if you are considering moving to a new area but are unsure where to choose, we are here. Whether you like the sun, are looking for a place to avoid, or just love the rain and snow, and want more, we have compiled a list of the rainiest cities in the United States to help you move with confidence. Read the details and discover if one of these cities is right for you.
How to determine the most rainy city
Before we dive into the rainiest city, let’s define our terminology. There are two ways to calculate whether a city is raining or not.
This can cause confusion. For example, you see hundreds of days of measurable precipitation, and some cities have less rainfall, while others receive a lot of rain when you see a lot of sun.
Therefore, for the purpose of determining the “wettest” cities, this list will focus on cities that receive the most days with measurable precipitation. They then go to cities with the highest annual rainfall.
Continue reading to see the rankings of Redfin, the rainiest cities in the US with a population of over 100,000.
What is the rainiest city in the US?
1. Syracuse, New York
Average rainy days: 172 days Average annual rainfall: 38.47 inches
The wettest city in the United States is Syracuse, New York, where we see rain and snow almost half of each day. Known for its white winters, Syracuse is the snowiest of the United States, receiving about 110 inches of snow a year. Infamously cloudy, cold but vibrant city, Syracuse is a hub of education, entertainment and recreation.
Syracuse is very wet due to its location near the Great Lakes. This is because cold air entering the area from the west or northwest moves east over the relatively warm lake, turning into rain and snow. This is called “lake effect” precipitation. Syracuse is located just east of Lake Ontario, so we often see this pattern. The strong lake effect blizzard is also a characteristic of the winter region. Summer is the driest all year round, but precipitation is common all year round.
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2. Buffalo, New York
Average annual rainy days: 167 days Average annual rainfall: 40.48 inches
Buffalo is the second largest city in the United States and one of the best places to live in New York. While it can be boring during winter and spring, there are many things I love about the city. Known as the city of Good Neighbors, it features famous craft beer, historic architecture, sports teams and world-class healthcare. Plus, it’s only 30 minutes from Niagara Falls.
The city is primarily exposed to precipitation from the Great Lakes, but generally receives greater rainfall than cities near Syracuse and Rochester. Lake effect snow is especially common in Southtown, with occasional snowfall of more than 6 feet in a single storm. It is generally wet in the winter, but it is quite dry in the summer.
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3. Erie, Pennsylvania
Average rainy days: 162 days Average annual rainfall: 42.16 inches
Located on the south shore of Lake Erie in Erie, Pennsylvania, it is a great place for those who like rain. This Rust Belt City is home to plenty of attractions and landmarks, known for its natural harbor, beautiful parks and rich industrial history. The close community and compact downtown are a great place to live.
Like other nearby cities, much of the precipitation in this area comes from the effective storms of the lake, which is even more powerful than you go. Ellie receives nearly 13 inches of rainfall than the national average of 29.94 inches in the adjacent US. Also, although it is damp in winter and spring and driest in summer, it shows fairly consistent rain throughout the year.
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4. Rochester, New York
Average annual rainfall: 162 days Average annual rainfall: 34.27 inches
Rochester, the last city in Upstate on our list, is the fourth largest city in the United States. Rochester is known as both “Flour City” and “Flower City” due to its history of flour and seed production, and is a gateway to other parts of the state. Within 400 miles of 14 states, major metropolitan areas, famous Finger Lakes regions and Seaway Trail Scenic Byway, you can find what you love here. On dry days, check out Upper Falls or the famous open market.
Like other nearby cities, Rochester sees most of the rainfall from the Great Lakes, with strong lake snowstorms. However, the reason there is less rain than Buffalo and Rochester is due to the eastern locations and the air killing cool thunderstorms.
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5. Akron, Ohio
Average annual rainfall: 156 days Average annual rainfall: 39.62 inches
Known as the world’s rubber capital, Akron is a small city in northern Ohio with a large footprint. The town has a wide range of attractions, including a well-known performing arts centre, powerful industry and rich nature. The city is historically known for its airship development and today it has a lovely downtown surrounded by diverse areas.
Akron receives a lot of precipitation from nearby Lake Erie, but further northeast than the city. Other rain usually comes from the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
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6. Cleveland, Ohio
Average rainy days: 156 days Average annual rainfall: 39.14 inches
Located just north of Akron on the shore of Lake Erie in Cleveland, Ohio, it is the sixth largest city in the United States. Known for its museums, natural beauty and sports culture, Cleveland is the perfect place to call home. It is also located in the middle of the barbelt, with a strong industrial and musical roots.
Like almost every other city on this list, most of the rain in this area comes from the Great Lakes, with a massive storm system moving across the Midwest. End of summer is Cleveland’s driest time, and the perfect time for spring and fall to come.
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7. Seattle, Washington
Average annual rainfall: 156 days Average annual rainfall: 37.72 inches
One of the cloudiest cities in the United States, Seattle is a poster city in the Pacific Northwest and is a famous rainy city. The city receives most of the rain from the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Ocean offers mild cold air and light rain for most of the year. However, as the weather warms, the rain patterns change, leading to frequent, but more intense rainfall.
Seattle is known for its technology, with its famous food scene, endless outdoor activities, world-famous landscapes and high-quality living. Spring and summer are the perfect seasons to visit.
Seattle is often actually in the shadow of the rain behind the Olympic Mountains. This means that there is less rainfall than the north and south cities, especially the west of the mountains. For example, Olympia, Washington, about an hour south of Seattle, receives about 50 inches of rain per year in 163 days (but the population is too small for the list).
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8. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Average annual rainfall: 154 days Average annual rainfall: 38.19 inches
Pittsburgh is the eighth largest city in the United States known as both Steel City and Bridges. Pittsburgh is renowned for its industrial roots, powerful sports scene, natural splendor and easy access to urban amenities. In fact, affordable living costs and revitalized urban landscapes have helped Pittsburgh become the perfect place to live in Pennsylvania.
Pittsburgh has been getting a lot of rainfall from the Great Lakes, mainly in cool months. However, it also benefits from sitting at the western edge of the Appalachian Mountains. This means that when warm, moisture-rich air arrives from the west, it encourages rainfall to raise gentle sloped hill areas.
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9. Portland, Oregon
Average annual rainy days: 153 days Average annual rainfall: 36.03 inches
Portland, Oregon is a famous, quirky city with considerable rainfall throughout the year. Like Seattle, most of the rain comes from the Pacific Ocean, but is slightly less frequent as it is further inland and south. Home to legendary parks, niche restaurants, markets, museums and more, Portland has something for everyone.
Although summers are generally warm and dry, there is fairly consistent rain in autumn, winter and spring. The nearby Columbia River Valley also affects the weather in Portland by letting strong winds flow from both the east and west. This allows you to create or reduce it.
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10. Grand Rapids, Michigan
Average annual rainy days: 147 days Average annual rainfall: 39.40 inches
Grand Rapids, the second largest city in Michigan, is the last city on our list. Grand Rapids rains in more than a third of the year, and are generally evenly distributed throughout the year. Like most other Great Lakes cities, its location near the lake provides ample moisture for the precipitation of the lake effect. Lake Michigan is just west, and Grand Rapids is prone to snowfall in the winter, particularly during the northwest winds from Canada. Thunderstorms in the summer are also common.
Aside from flooded weather, Grand Rapids could be the perfect place to live. Museums, craft beer and affordable living costs are major benefits. Plus, if you’re willing to give the elements courage, Michigan is full of natural beauty waiting to be explored.
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The rainiest cities based on total annual rainfall
Many American cities watch the sun for most of the year, but are also suffering from strong storms that can produce dozens of inches of rain at a time. These cities aren’t that dark, but they can be very wet. This is an important factor to consider if you are planning to move.
This is the most rainy major city based on the average annual total rainfall.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Miami, Florida 68.77 inches: Alabama 67.41 inches Mobile: 67.08 inches Beaumont, Beaumont, Texas: 65.07 inches New Orleans, Louisiana: Lafayre Anna, Louisiana: 635 inches Lafayette: 635 inches Lafayre Anna, West Palm Beach, Florida: 61.75 inches Port St. Lucie, Florida: 61.03 inches Wilmington, North Carolina: 60.15 inches Tallahassee, Florida: 58.81 inches Jackson, Mississippi: 57.35 inches
All of these cities are located in the south where strong storms produce most of the rain. Rain generally comes in summer and autumn. It is mainly from tropical storms, hurricanes, thunderstorms and other systems. Furthermore, due to the frequency and severity of rainfall, everyone has a very high flood risk.
How does precipitation change?
Climate change has caused most of the world to receive more rainfall, but stronger and less frequent. Since 1901, global precipitation has increased by 0.04 inches per decade, while 48 US states have increased by 0.2 inches per decade. This is a change in rainfall patterns traditionally in wet areas, causing longer dry seasons and shorter but more intense rainy seasons.
Methodology
This list includes annual rainfall data for major cities with over 100,000 residents. Comparative climate data for 2023 was obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its subsidiary, the National Center for Environmental Information (NCEI). Additional data found in the US Climate Normal Database.
