8 of the Rainiest Cities in the U.S.

While many cities have a reputation for being wet year-round — we’re looking at you, Seattle — clinching the crown for rainiest city in the U.S. often comes down to the severity of the rain storms, not simply how frequently it rains. If sunny skies simply aren’t your thing, and you’re looking to curl up with a good book instead, check out the list of the eight rainiest cities in the U.S., some of which may surprise you.

8. Atlanta, Georgia

Average rainfall per year: 50.4 inches

Atlanta receives a considerable amount of rain year-round, but some months are definitely wetter than others. Precipitation peaks in March and again in July. September and October tend to be the driest months of the year in Atlanta, but visitors should prepare for rain any time of year, as the city has an average of nine rainy days per month. When wet weather does arrive, the College Football Hall of Fame, World of Coca-Cola, and Georgia Aquarium are just a few of the Georgia capital’s many options for indoor entertainment.

7. Nashville, Tennessee

Average rainfall per year: 50.5 inches

Prone to residual rain from hurricanes,, Nashville receives more rain than Seattle. May is the wettest month in Music City, followed by November and December. The driest months are August and October — the latter’s mild temperatures also make it one of the best times to visit. However, don’t let the possibility of rain deter you: Stay dry by taking in a show at the Grand Ole Opry, appreciating the state’s status as country music capital at the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum, and tasting whiskey at Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery. 

6. Orlando, Florida

Average rainfall per year: 51.5 inches

Home to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and other popular theme parks, Orlando doesn’t let a little rain stand in the way of a good time. And due to its more northerly inland location, the central Florida city still sees less rain than other Sunshine State cities like Miami. A chance of rain is almost always reported in the daily forecasts in Orlando, but it’s typical for precipitation to occur in short bursts in the afternoon. If it does decide to really come down, you can tap the kids’ creative side at Crayola Experience or test your wits and patience at the Escape Room Orlando.

5. Memphis, Tennessee

Average rainfall per year: 54.9 inches

It may rain often in Memphis, but with bars, blues clubs, and live music venues in bountiful supply, there are few better places to be stuck inside. Most of the annual precipitation in the “Birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll” falls in spring and winter months, while autumn is your best bet for a rain-free experience. Rain or shine, and spend as much time as possible soaking up the renowned music culture in the land where B.B. King, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash (among many others) got their start. Don’t miss stopping in at Blues City Cafe, Lafayette’s Music Room, and B.B. King’s Blues Club, all located on famous Beale Street.

4. Houston, Texas

Average rainfall per year: 55.6 inches

While the Lone Star State might evoke images of dusty, wide open plains, severe rain and floods are fairly common in the state’s largest (and wettest) city, Houston. The upside of all that rain is the 43,000-plus acres of green space and 580 parks that Houston residents and visitors get to enjoy (when it’s not raining, of course). There’s plenty to keep you entertained if the rain does drive you inside, from the Houston Museum of Natural Science to the Space Center Houston and the Music Box Theater.

3. Birmingham, Alabama  

Average rainfall per year: 56.6 inches

Hot, muggy summers give way to rainy winters in Birmingham, the third-wettest city in the U.S. The rainiest months are February and March, but fortunately, visitors have plenty of indoor options to enjoy during the wet winter months. Check out Birmingham’s abundant museums (the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is a must for motorcycle enthusiasts), attend a show at the historic Alabama Theatre, or sip locally crafted beer at Avondale Brewing Company.  

2. New Orleans, Louisiana

Average rainfall per year: 63.4 inches

From powerful hurricanes to good old-fashioned summer downpours, New Orleans is notorious for wet weather. The high humidity clashing with the dry air that swoops down from the north has helped NOLA set some impressive precipitation records.

Overall, though, the city sees an average of 56 rainy days each year, a number that pales in comparison to other places known for heavy rain, like Buffalo (167 days per year) and Portland, Oregon (164 days). That means that when it rains in New Orleans, it tends to pour. But don’t worry if you happen to be in the Big Easy when the sky opens up — there are plenty of entertaining indoor activities. Listen to some traditional Jazz at Preservation Hall, check out the National WWII Museum, or live it up at Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World.

1. Miami, Florida

Average rainfall per year: 67.4 inches

The southeast coast of Florida is a magnet for low pressure systems, which are responsible for creating intense bursts of rain and hurricanes that regularly swing through Miami. The coastal metropolis is the wettest city in the U.S., with the majority of its precipitation falling during May to October. If you’re planning a beach getaway in Miami, it’s wise to avoid the rainiest months of June, August, and September. When the weather gets too wet, seek shelter in Time Out Miami Market, a snack and happy hour haven, gawk at the creative light installations and digital displays at Superblue Miami, or dip into the Aventura Mall, the largest shopping plaza in the city.

About the data: To determine the rainiest cities in the U.S., we consulted the climate research and data website Current Results, which analyzed precipitation amounts in the country’s 56 largest metro areas. The averages were based on weather data from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information from 1991 to 2020. You can view the full report here.