Rainiest Cities in the U.S.

Average Number of Rainy Days

Average Number of Rainy Days
1.Syracuse, NY172
2.Buffalo, NY167
3.Erie, PA162
4.Rochester, NY162
5.Akron, OH156
6.Cleveland, OH156
7.Seattle, WA156
8.Pittsburgh, PA154
9.Portland, OR153
10.Salem, OR144

Precipitation Variance Across the U.S.

Rainfall is an essential part of Earth's water cycle, which underpins the existence of all life forms by replenishing bodies of water, nourishing plant life, and providing critical resources for animals and ecosystems. However, precipitation patterns and quantities significantly differ across the United States, subjecting various regions to highly divergent rainfall experiences. Key findings from the data include:

  • Cities in the Northeastern U.S., specifically in New York and Pennsylvania, demonstrate a higher prevalence of rainy days. Syracuse, NY tops the list with an average of 172 rainy days per year, followed by Buffalo, NY (167 days) and Erie, PA (162 days).
  • Four out of the top five cities lie in the Northeastern region, substantiating the area's reputation for cloudy skies and frequent precipitation.
  • Despite stereotypes, cities on the West Coast like Seattle, WA, and Portland, OR are ranked lower, with an average of 156 and 153 rainy days respectively, less than those in the Northeastern region.
  • In the list's context, the occurrence of rainy days exceeds but does not directly correlate with high annual rainfall volumes. For instance, despite nine states recording their highest annual rainfall in 2018, only one city (Erie, PA) from these states features in the top 10 list for average rainy days.
  • An unexpected finding is the inclusion of Akron and Cleveland in Ohio (each with 156 rainy days), hinting towards a significant precipitation frequency in this Midwest area.

By Region

Akron, OH

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Akron, OH

Metric

Value

Rank

Average Number of Rainy Days

156

#5

Buffalo, NY

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Buffalo, NY

Metric

Value

Rank

Average Number of Rainy Days

167

#2

Cleveland, OH

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Cleveland, OH

Metric

Value

Rank

Average Number of Rainy Days

156

#6

Erie, PA

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Erie, PA

Metric

Value

Rank

Average Number of Rainy Days

162

#3

Pittsburgh, PA

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Pittsburgh, PA

Metric

Value

Rank

Average Number of Rainy Days

154

#8

Portland, OR

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Portland, OR

Metric

Value

Rank

Average Number of Rainy Days

153

#9

Rochester, NY

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Rochester, NY

Metric

Value

Rank

Average Number of Rainy Days

162

#4

Salem, OR

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Salem, OR

Metric

Value

Rank

Average Number of Rainy Days

144

#10

Seattle, WA

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Seattle, WA

Metric

Value

Rank

Average Number of Rainy Days

156

#7

Syracuse, NY

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Syracuse, NY

Metric

Value

Rank

Average Number of Rainy Days

172

#1