If you’ve ever found yourself caught in a sudden downpour without an umbrella, you might have wondered just how bad it gets elsewhere. When it comes to persistent precipitation, some American cities are in a league of their own, where a gray sky is more of a default setting than a passing mood. The quest to answer What Is the Rainiest City in the US? Top 10 Wettest Cities isn’t as straightforward as it seems, as it depends on how you measure “rainiest”—is it the total inches that fall from the sky or the sheer number of days you need a raincoat?
Defining the “wettest” city can lead you down two different paths. One path considers the total annual rainfall, where cities in the tropics or those exposed to moisture-laden air dominate. The other path looks at the number of rainy days, where a city might see less total water but experience a constant, misty drizzle that defines its character. This nuanced view is essential for painting an accurate picture of precipitation across the country and getting to the heart of what is the rainiest city in the US.
What Is the Rainiest City in the US? Top 10 Wettest Cities
Based on the highest average annual rainfall measured by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the crown for the rainiest city in the contiguous United States goes to a familiar hub of the Pacific Northwest. Let’s count down the top 10, where inches of rain tell the story.
10. New Orleans, Louisiana
Averaging about 62 inches annually, New Orleans’ subtropical climate and vulnerability to Gulf of Mexico storms and torrential downpours earn it a spot on this list. The city’s low-lying topography can make heavy rain events particularly challenging.
9. West Palm Beach, Florida
With roughly 63 inches of rain a year, this Floridian city is a classic example of a subtropical climate. Afternoon thunderstorms are a frequent and dramatic occurrence, especially during the wet summer months.
8. Tallahassee, Florida
Florida’s capital city sees around 63 inches of rain annually. Its inland location in the Florida Panhandle doesn’t spare it from the abundant moisture that sweeps across the region.
7. Miami, Florida
Miami is synonymous with tropical weather, and its average of 64 inches of rain per year proves it. The city experiences a distinct wet season, where brief but intense thunderstorms can flood streets with startling speed.
6. Pensacola, Florida
Often cited as one of the wettest, Pensacola averages a substantial 65 inches of rainfall each year. Its prime location on the Florida Panhandle makes it a magnet for systems coming from the Gulf.
The Top Five and the Reigning Champion
5. Quinault, Washington
While not a major metropolis, the Quinault Rainforest on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula is a legendary rain magnet, averaging about 79 inches. It serves as a reminder that the rainiest spots are often nestled within specific microclimates.
4. Lake Fork, Idaho
Another location known for its extreme microclimate, this area in northern Idaho can receive over 80 inches of precipitation a year, much of it as snow, showcasing how mountain topography wrings moisture from the air.
3. Mt. Waialeale, Hawaii
If we include all U.S. territories, this Hawaiian mountain is in a class of its own, with a staggering historical average of over 450 inches per year. Its name appropriately translates to “overflowing water.”
2. Mobile, Alabama
The runner-up for the rainiest major city in the contiguous U.S. is Mobile, Alabama, which collects an impressive 67 inches of rainfall annually. Its position on the Gulf Coast makes it a consistent target for moist air masses.
1. Hilo, Hawaii
And the winner is Hilo, Hawaii. This beautiful city on the Big Island is drenched with an average of over 126 inches of rain per year. Its windward location relative to the dominant trade winds means it constantly receives moist air that rises and condenses into rain, supporting lush tropical rainforests and breathtaking waterfalls.
Rainy Days Versus Total Rainfall
It’s important to distinguish between total rainfall and the number of rainy days. While Hilo, HI, wins for total volume, the title for the most rainy days belongs to a different type of climate altogether. Cities in the Pacific Northwest, like Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, are famous for their drizzle. In fact, Seattle has about 150 rainy days per year, but its total annual rainfall is only about 37 inches—less than many cities on the East Coast. This is because the rain is often a light, misty drizzle that falls over many hours rather than the intense, tropical downpours that dump several inches in a single afternoon.
Living in a Rainy City: Embracing the Damp
For residents of these wet locales, rain is simply a part of life. They learn to adapt with a few key strategies. A high-quality, waterproof jacket is a non-negotiable staple, and many opt for water-resistant shoes or boots. Indoor hobbies and activities flourish, from visiting world-class museums and libraries to cozying up in coffee shops. The payoff for all this precipitation is often an incredibly vibrant, green environment. Lush, evergreen landscapes, flourishing gardens, and abundant water sources are the beautiful silver lining to the cloudy skies.
Ultimately, the answer to what is the rainiest city in the US depends on your metric. For sheer, awe-inspiring volume, Hilo, Hawaii, is the undisputed champion. But if you’re measuring by the persistent, ever-present chance of drizzle, the cities of the Pacific Northwest hold their own unique title. From the tropical deluges of the Gulf Coast to the misty forests of the Pacific Northwest, America’s wettest cities each have their own unique and rainy story to tell.