Where in the US does it RAIN a lot? How about thunderstorms? (average, rainfall)

[HurricaneDC]

I know Seattle and Portland have reputations for being rainy, but from what I gather it's a light rain. I'm looking out my window right now and if it wasn't for the calm winds you'd think there was a tropical storm outside. It's awesome but unfortunately it doesn't happen enough in DC.

So where else does it rain a lot? Where does it rain HARD (and often)? And like I said in the title, how about thunderstorms? I know the plains states reign king in terms of intensity and that Tampa is tops when it comes to frequency. Where else?

[theunbrainwashed]

Originally Posted by HurricaneDC

I know Seattle and Portland have reputations for being rainy, but from what I gather it's a light rain. I'm looking out my window right now and if it wasn't for the calm winds you'd think there was a tropical storm outside. It's awesome but unfortunately it doesn't happen enough in DC.

So where else does it rain a lot? Where does it rain HARD (and often)? And like I said in the title, how about thunderstorms? I know the plains states reign king in terms of intensity and that Tampa is tops when it comes to frequency. Where else?

I presume south Florida if it's anything like Puerto Rico during the wet season. I know in Puerto Rico during the wet season it really pours down hard almost everyday but usually doesn't last longer than 15 minutes for the most part. I believe even most of Florida is that way as well during summer.

[cpg35223]

Birmingham, Alabama -- Average annual rainfall, 54 inches
Mobile, Alabama -- Average annual rainfall, 66.3
New Orleans, LA -- Average annual rainfall, 64
Tampa, Florida -- 44.7

[wavehunter007]

Originally Posted by HurricaneDC

I know Seattle and Portland have reputations for being rainy, but from what I gather it's a light rain. I'm looking out my window right now and if it wasn't for the calm winds you'd think there was a tropical storm outside. It's awesome but unfortunately it doesn't happen enough in DC.

So where else does it rain a lot? Where does it rain HARD (and often)? And like I said in the title, how about thunderstorms? I know the plains states reign king in terms of intensity and that Tampa is tops when it comes to frequency. Where else?

The rainiest area of the USA mainland in terms of annual rainfall is an area of the Pacific Northwest centered on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Areas around the windward slopes of Coast Ranges in the Washington state receive 135 inches per year on average. The town of Aberdeen, Washington is considered the wettest city/town in the USA, with 85 inches of rain on average falling each year.

In terms of rainfall intensity, the Gulf and south Atlantic states, and Florida is the center of intense rainfall in the USA. Due to the humid, tropical flow of air in the May – Oct time, as well as the rainfall associated with tropical cyclones, areas along the Gulf Coast and Florida often experience the greatest number of intense rainfall events. A few places like Yankeetown (in the Florida Keys I think) and on the Texas (Alvin) have reported 35 to 45 inches of rain in less than 24 hours.

Yes, there is nothing like a tropical rainstorm or the torrental rain from a tropical system. Wilma in 2005 was still one of the most amazing - several feet of water (lol).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JuQD...feature=fvwrel


.

[cjg5]

Don't know about thunderstorms, but southeast Alaska (aka the panhandle) is an extremely rainy area. Juneau, Ketchikan, etc.

Hilo, HI is also an extremely rainy place. Again, not sure about thunderstorms there.

As has been mentioned, coastal Washington is also very rainy. There is even a rainforest on the western side of the Olympic Mountains.