Some people prefer sunny weather, others like the rain. While sunnier cities were popular migration destinations following the pandemic, rainier cities are often more affordable and have many benefits, including cleaner, better-smelling air and lush nature.
So, if you’re considering moving to a new area but aren’t sure where to choose, we’re here to help. Whether you like the sun and are looking for places to avoid, or love the rain and snow and just want more, we’ve compiled a list of the rainiest cities in the U.S. to help you move with confidence. Read on to learn more and discover if one of these cities is right for you.
How we determine the rainiest cities
Before diving into the rainiest cities, let’s define our terms. There are two ways to calculate whether a city is rainy:
This can create confusion. For example, some cities see hundreds of days with measurable precipitation but have lower rainfall totals, while others see lots of sun and receive huge amounts of rain.
So, for our purposes of determining the “rainiest” cities, this list will focus on cities that receive the most days with measurable precipitation. Afterward, we’ll also go over the cities with the highest annual rainfall totals.
Keep reading to see Redfin’s rankings of the rainiest cities in the U.S. with a population of 100,000 or more.
Deciding between renting or buying your next home? Explore your options.
Compare the costs of renting vs buying and find a lender to secure your mortgage.
Deciding between renting or buying your next home?
Compare the costs of renting vs buying and find a lender to secure your mortgage.
What are the rainiest cities in the U.S.?
1. Syracuse, New York
Average annual rainy days: 172 days
Average annual precipitation: 38.47 inches
The rainiest city in the U.S. is Syracuse, NY, seeing rain or snow on nearly half of the days each year. Known for its white winters, Syracuse is also the snowiest city in the U.S., receiving around 110 inches of snow per year. A notoriously cloudy, cold, but lively city, Syracuse is a hub for education, entertainment, and recreation.
Syracuse is so wet because of its location near the Great Lakes. This is because colder air that enters the region from the west or northwest travels east over the relatively warmer lakes, turning into rain or snow. This is called “lake effect” precipitation. Syracuse is just east of Lake Ontario, so it sees this pattern frequently. Strong lake effect snowstorms are also a hallmark of the region in the winter. Summer is the driest time of year, but precipitation is commonyear-round.
Claim your home to create your ideal holiday space with garlands, lights, and festive touches, or use Redesign on any Redfin listing!
2. Buffalo, New York
Average annual rainy days: 167 days
Average annual precipitation: 40.48 inches
Buffalo is the second-rainiest city in the U.S. and one of the best places to live in New York. While it can be dreary during the winter and spring, there’s a lot to love about the city. It’s known as the City of Good Neighbors and has famous craft beer, historic architecture, sports teams, and world-class healthcare. Plus, it’s only 30 minutes from Niagara Falls.
The city primarily receives precipitation from the Great Lakes, but generally in larger quantities than the nearby cities of Syracuse and Rochester. Lake effect snow is especially common here in the winter, especially in the Southtowns, sometimes dropping more than six feet of snow in a single storm. Winters are generally wet, while summers are fairly dry.
Located on the southern shore of Lake Erie, Erie, PA is a great spot for rain lovers. This Rust Belt city is full of attractions and landmarks, and is known for its natural harbor, beautiful parks, and rich industrial history. A close-knit community and compact downtown make it a great place to live.
Similar to other nearby cities, much of the area’s precipitation comes from lake-effect storms, which are more powerful the further east you go. Erie receives nearly 13 inches more rainfall than the contiguous U.S. national average of 29.94 inches. It also sees fairly consistent rain throughout the year, although it’s wetter in the winter and spring and driest in the summer.
The last of the Upstate cities on our list, Rochester is the fourth-rainiest city in the US. Known as both the “Flour City” and the “Flower City” for its history of flour and seed production, Rochester is a gateway to the rest of the state. Within 400 miles of 14 states, major metropolitan areas, the famous Finger Lakes Region, and the Seaway Trail scenic byway, you’re sure to find something to love here. On a dry day, check out Upper Falls or the famous Public Market.
Like other nearby cities, Rochester sees most of its precipitation from the Great Lakes, and is prone to strong lake effect snowstorms. However, it sees less rain than Buffalo and Rochester due to its more eastern location and cool, thunderstorm-killing air.
Known as the Rubber Capital of the World, Akron is a small Northern Ohio city with a big footprint. The town is home to various attractions, including famous performing arts centers, strong industries, and plentiful nature. The city was historically known for its airship development and today contains a lovely downtown surrounded by diverse neighborhoods.
Akron receives a lot of precipitation from nearby Lake Erie, although less than cities further northeast. Other rain usually comes from the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
Located just north of Akron on the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland, OH, is the sixth-rainiest city in the US. Known for its museums, natural beauty, and sports culture, Cleveland can be a wonderful place to call home. It’s also located in the middle of the Rust Belt and has strong industrial and musical roots.
Like nearly every other city on this list, most of the rain in the area comes from the Great Lakes, along with larger storm systems moving across the Midwest. Late summer is the driest time of year in Cleveland, while Spring and Fall are the best times to visit.
One of the cloudiest cities in the US, Seattle is the poster city of the Pacific Northwest, and a famously rainy city. The city receives most of its rain from the Pacific Ocean, which provides mild, cool air and light rain for a majority of the year. However, rain patterns have been changing as the climate warms, leading to less frequent but stronger rainfall.
Seattle is known for its technology, as well as having a famous food scene, endless outdoor activities, world-renowned landscapes, and a high quality of living. Spring and summer are the best seasons to visit.
Seattle is actually often in a rain shadow behind the Olympic Mountains, meaning it receives less rainfall than cities to the north and south, and especially west of the mountains. For example, Olympia, WA, around an hour south of Seattle, receives nearly 50 inches of rain per year over 163 days (its population is too small for our list, though).
Pittsburgh is the eighth-rainiest city in the U.S. Known as both Steel City and the City of Bridges, Pittsburgh is famous for its industrial roots, strong sports scene, and easy access to natural splendor and urban amenities. In fact, its affordable cost of living and revitalized cityscape helped Pittsburgh become the best place to live in Pennsylvania.
Pittsburgh gets a lot of its precipitation from the Great Lakes, mostly in the cooler months. However, it also benefits from sitting on the western edge of the Appalachian mountains. This means that when warm, moisture-rich air arrives from the west, the air is encouraged to rain in order to rise up the gently sloping foothills.
Portland, OR, is a famously quirky city that sees a fair amount of rain throughout the year. Similar to Seattle, most of its rain comes from the Pacific Ocean, although slightly less frequently because it’s further inland and south. Home to legendary parks, niche restaurants, markets, museums, and much more, Portland has something for everyone.
Summers are generally warm and dry, while fall, winter, and spring see rain fairly consistently. The nearby Columbia River Gorge also influences Portland’s weather by funneling strong winds from both the east and west. This can either create more moisture or reduce it.
Michigan’s second-largest city, Grand Rapids, is the last city on our list. Grand Rapids sees rain for just over a third of the year, generally evenly distributed year-round. Like most other Great Lakes cities, its location near the lakes provides plenty of moisture for lake-effect precipitation. Lake Michigan is just to the west, which makes Grand Rapids especially prone to strong winter snowfall when northwesterly winds blow in from Canada. Summer thunderstorms are also common.
Aside from soggy weather, Grand Rapids can be a great place to live. Art museums, craft beer, and an affordable cost of living are major benefits. Plus, if you don’t mind braving the elements, Michigan is full of natural beauty waiting to be explored.
Rainiest cities based on annual precipitation total
Many U.S. cities see see sun for the majority of the year, but also receive strong storms that can produce dozens of inches of rain at a time. While these cities aren’t very gloomy, they can be extremely wet, which is an important factor to consider if you’re planning on moving.
Here are the rainiest major U.S. cities based on average total rainfall per year:
All of these cities are in the Southern U.S. where strong storms produce most of their rain. Rain generally comes in the summer and fall, primarily from tropical storms, hurricanes, thunderstorms, and other systems. Additionally, every one has very high flood risks due to the frequency and severity of rainfall.
How is precipitation changing?
Due to climate change, most of the world is receiving more precipitation, but in stronger, less frequent storms. Since 1901, global precipitation has increased by 0.04 inches per decade, while in the lower 48 U.S. states, it’s increased by 0.2 inches per decade. This is changing rainfall patterns in traditionally wet places, causing longer dry seasons and shorter but more intense wet seasons.
Methodology
This list contains annual precipitation data for major cities with over 100,000 residents. 2023 Comparative Climatic Data was obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its subsidiary, the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). Additional data found on the U.S. Climate Normals database.
.png)
German (DE) 
English (US) 
Spanish (ES) 
French (FR) 
Hindi (IN) 
Italian (IT) 
Russian (RU) 
5 hours ago
2
Comments