Top 12+ Towns Where It Rains Nearly Every Day

Syracuse, New York - America's Wettest City, Buffalo, New York - The Lake Effect Champion, Bergen, Norway - Europe's Rain Capital, Hilo, Hawaii - Paradise with a Permanent Shower, Tutunendo, Colombia - The World's Wettest Small Town, Lloró, Colombia - The Ultimate Rain Champion, Quibdó, Colombia - Where Sunshine is a Luxury, Whittier, Alaska - America's Isolated Rain Haven, San Vito, Costa Rica - The Persistent Rainmaker, Manizales, Colombia - The High-Altitude Rain Machine, Manchester, United Kingdom - The Persistent Drizzle Champion, Monrovia, Liberia - The Wettest Capital in the World

Picture this: you wake up to the gentle sound of raindrops pattering against your window. Not just once in a while, but almost every single day of the year. While some people might call this dreary, weather enthusiasts know these places hold a special magic. From misty mountain towns to coastal havens where storms dance across the sky, there are places on Earth where rain isn't just a weather event—it's a way of life.

Syracuse, New York - America's Wettest City

Syracuse, New York - America's Wettest City, Buffalo, New York - The Lake Effect Champion, Bergen, Norway - Europe's Rain Capital, Hilo, Hawaii - Paradise with a Permanent Shower, Tutunendo, Colombia - The World's Wettest Small Town, Lloró, Colombia - The Ultimate Rain Champion, Quibdó, Colombia - Where Sunshine is a Luxury, Whittier, Alaska - America's Isolated Rain Haven, San Vito, Costa Rica - The Persistent Rainmaker, Manizales, Colombia - The High-Altitude Rain Machine, Manchester, United Kingdom - The Persistent Drizzle Champion, Monrovia, Liberia - The Wettest Capital in the World

Syracuse, New York tops the list with an average of 172 rainy days per year, making it the rainiest city in the U.S. with rain or snow on nearly half of the days each year. This upstate New York city doesn't mess around when it comes to precipitation. The two cities in New York State each average over 165 wet days a year, but Syracuse takes the crown. Think of it like having a friend who always shows up—except that friend is rain, and it's incredibly reliable. The city's location near Lake Ontario makes it particularly vulnerable to lake-effect snow and storms, creating a perfect recipe for year-round moisture. When you're planning a visit to Syracuse, packing an umbrella isn't just recommended—it's practically mandatory survival gear.

Buffalo, New York - The Lake Effect Champion

Syracuse, New York - America's Wettest City, Buffalo, New York - The Lake Effect Champion, Bergen, Norway - Europe's Rain Capital, Hilo, Hawaii - Paradise with a Permanent Shower, Tutunendo, Colombia - The World's Wettest Small Town, Lloró, Colombia - The Ultimate Rain Champion, Quibdó, Colombia - Where Sunshine is a Luxury, Whittier, Alaska - America's Isolated Rain Haven, San Vito, Costa Rica - The Persistent Rainmaker, Manizales, Colombia - The High-Altitude Rain Machine, Manchester, United Kingdom - The Persistent Drizzle Champion, Monrovia, Liberia - The Wettest Capital in the World

Buffalo, New York follows closely with 167 days of precipitation annually, earning it the title of the rainiest city in the U.S. according to some sources. The majority of the cities in the top 10 are those near the Great Lakes, which are very prone to heavy lake-effect precipitation. Buffalo's relationship with rain is like a long marriage—sometimes it's gentle and predictable, other times it's dramatic and intense. Yet Buffalo ranks 30th in the total precipitation it receives annually, with 40.7 inches, proving that frequent light rain can be more persistent than occasional heavy downpours. The city's residents have learned to embrace this watery lifestyle, making Buffalo a testament to human adaptability in the face of perpetual precipitation.

Bergen, Norway - Europe's Rain Capital

Syracuse, New York - America's Wettest City, Buffalo, New York - The Lake Effect Champion, Bergen, Norway - Europe's Rain Capital, Hilo, Hawaii - Paradise with a Permanent Shower, Tutunendo, Colombia - The World's Wettest Small Town, Lloró, Colombia - The Ultimate Rain Champion, Quibdó, Colombia - Where Sunshine is a Luxury, Whittier, Alaska - America's Isolated Rain Haven, San Vito, Costa Rica - The Persistent Rainmaker, Manizales, Colombia - The High-Altitude Rain Machine, Manchester, United Kingdom - The Persistent Drizzle Champion, Monrovia, Liberia - The Wettest Capital in the World

On average, some form of precipitation is recorded on 239 days each year in Bergen, making it one of Europe's wettest cities. Out of the 365 days of the year, 202-239 are days you should expect at least some rain in Bergen. This Norwegian coastal city has earned its reputation as a place where umbrellas are more essential than sunglasses. Bergen does not endure torrential downpours every other day. Instead, it experiences frequent light rain, often for short periods. Still, 239 days is a lot by any standard. Bergen is notorious for being one of the wettest cities in Europe, yet locals have mastered the art of living beautifully in perpetual moisture, creating a culture where rain isn't an obstacle but simply part of the rhythm of life.

Hilo, Hawaii - Paradise with a Permanent Shower

Syracuse, New York - America's Wettest City, Buffalo, New York - The Lake Effect Champion, Bergen, Norway - Europe's Rain Capital, Hilo, Hawaii - Paradise with a Permanent Shower, Tutunendo, Colombia - The World's Wettest Small Town, Lloró, Colombia - The Ultimate Rain Champion, Quibdó, Colombia - Where Sunshine is a Luxury, Whittier, Alaska - America's Isolated Rain Haven, San Vito, Costa Rica - The Persistent Rainmaker, Manizales, Colombia - The High-Altitude Rain Machine, Manchester, United Kingdom - The Persistent Drizzle Champion, Monrovia, Liberia - The Wettest Capital in the World

Located on Hawaii's largest island, Hilo gets hit with over 130 inches of precipitation every year and experiences almost 280 rainy days annually. Its tropical climate and substantial rainfall make it one of the wettest cities in the US. In the city of Hilo on the eastern shore of Hawaii's Big Island, it rains about three out of every four days, making it one of the rainiest cities in the world. Imagine living in paradise where Mother Nature provides a daily shower—that's Hilo for you. The regular rainstorms contribute to the island's lush beauty, picturesque rainbows, and dramatic waterfalls. This isn't the kind of rain that ruins your picnic; it's the kind that creates some of the most stunning natural beauty on Earth, turning every day into a potential rainbow-spotting adventure.

Tutunendo, Colombia - The World's Wettest Small Town

Syracuse, New York - America's Wettest City, Buffalo, New York - The Lake Effect Champion, Bergen, Norway - Europe's Rain Capital, Hilo, Hawaii - Paradise with a Permanent Shower, Tutunendo, Colombia - The World's Wettest Small Town, Lloró, Colombia - The Ultimate Rain Champion, Quibdó, Colombia - Where Sunshine is a Luxury, Whittier, Alaska - America's Isolated Rain Haven, San Vito, Costa Rica - The Persistent Rainmaker, Manizales, Colombia - The High-Altitude Rain Machine, Manchester, United Kingdom - The Persistent Drizzle Champion, Monrovia, Liberia - The Wettest Capital in the World

Tutunendo, a small town situated in the same department, is one of the wettest places on earth, averaging 11,394 mm (448.6 in) per year; in 1974 the town received 26,303 mm (1,035.6 in), the largest annual rainfall measured in Colombia. Unlike Cherrapunji, which receives most of its rainfall between April and September, Tutunendo receives rain almost uniformly distributed throughout the year. On average, Tutunendo has 280 days with rainfall per year. This Colombian gem makes even the rainiest places look dry by comparison. Over two-thirds of the rain (68%) falls during the night. The average relative humidity is 90% and the average temperature is 26.4°C. Living here is like being inside a natural greenhouse where the air itself feels thick with moisture and life.

Lloró, Colombia - The Ultimate Rain Champion

Syracuse, New York - America's Wettest City, Buffalo, New York - The Lake Effect Champion, Bergen, Norway - Europe's Rain Capital, Hilo, Hawaii - Paradise with a Permanent Shower, Tutunendo, Colombia - The World's Wettest Small Town, Lloró, Colombia - The Ultimate Rain Champion, Quibdó, Colombia - Where Sunshine is a Luxury, Whittier, Alaska - America's Isolated Rain Haven, San Vito, Costa Rica - The Persistent Rainmaker, Manizales, Colombia - The High-Altitude Rain Machine, Manchester, United Kingdom - The Persistent Drizzle Champion, Monrovia, Liberia - The Wettest Capital in the World

Lloró, a town situated in Chocó, Colombia, is probably the place with the largest measured rainfall in the world, averaging 13,300 mm per year (523.6 in). This small Colombian town doesn't just experience rain—it practically lives underwater. In fact, the whole Department of Chocó is extraordinarily humid. To put this in perspective, imagine if your annual rainfall was measured not in inches but in feet—lots of feet. While exact daily rainfall statistics aren't available, with over 40 feet of rain annually, it's safe to say that dry days are about as rare as unicorns in Lloró. The residents here have developed an almost supernatural relationship with water, where rain isn't weather—it's practically a constant companion.

Quibdó, Colombia - Where Sunshine is a Luxury

Syracuse, New York - America's Wettest City, Buffalo, New York - The Lake Effect Champion, Bergen, Norway - Europe's Rain Capital, Hilo, Hawaii - Paradise with a Permanent Shower, Tutunendo, Colombia - The World's Wettest Small Town, Lloró, Colombia - The Ultimate Rain Champion, Quibdó, Colombia - Where Sunshine is a Luxury, Whittier, Alaska - America's Isolated Rain Haven, San Vito, Costa Rica - The Persistent Rainmaker, Manizales, Colombia - The High-Altitude Rain Machine, Manchester, United Kingdom - The Persistent Drizzle Champion, Monrovia, Liberia - The Wettest Capital in the World

Due to its tropical rain forest climate and situation next to the Andes mountains, Quibdó receives rain on practically every single day of the year. Subject to constant and intense thunderstorms, this small municipality often gets less than a few hours of sunlight in the mornings. Imagine living in a place where seeing the sun is like spotting a celebrity—exciting but incredibly rare. This Colombian town has turned rainy days into an art form, where the rhythm of daily life moves to the constant drumbeat of raindrops. The locals here probably have more names for different types of rain than Eskimos have for snow. When you get only a few hours of morning sunshine occasionally, you learn to appreciate every single ray like a precious gift.

Whittier, Alaska - America's Isolated Rain Haven

Syracuse, New York - America's Wettest City, Buffalo, New York - The Lake Effect Champion, Bergen, Norway - Europe's Rain Capital, Hilo, Hawaii - Paradise with a Permanent Shower, Tutunendo, Colombia - The World's Wettest Small Town, Lloró, Colombia - The Ultimate Rain Champion, Quibdó, Colombia - Where Sunshine is a Luxury, Whittier, Alaska - America's Isolated Rain Haven, San Vito, Costa Rica - The Persistent Rainmaker, Manizales, Colombia - The High-Altitude Rain Machine, Manchester, United Kingdom - The Persistent Drizzle Champion, Monrovia, Liberia - The Wettest Capital in the World

When looking for the wettest cities in the world, this small town in the USA is one of the most suitable places. The town receives rainfall for about 200 days of the year, and there is a fair amount of it— 154 inches on average. Originally developed for use by the military, this isolated Alaskan town is almost impossible to access except for by boat or train. Receiving over 200 wet days and almost 300 inches annually, this city is possibly the rainiest in the United States. Living in Whittier is like being part of an exclusive club where membership requires serious dedication to precipitation. Fortunately, rainfall is evenly spread throughout the year. However, September to January are the rainiest months; in other months, rain usually falls as a short shower or drizzle. This remote Alaskan outpost proves that sometimes the most beautiful places are also the wettest.

San Vito, Costa Rica - The Persistent Rainmaker

Syracuse, New York - America's Wettest City, Buffalo, New York - The Lake Effect Champion, Bergen, Norway - Europe's Rain Capital, Hilo, Hawaii - Paradise with a Permanent Shower, Tutunendo, Colombia - The World's Wettest Small Town, Lloró, Colombia - The Ultimate Rain Champion, Quibdó, Colombia - Where Sunshine is a Luxury, Whittier, Alaska - America's Isolated Rain Haven, San Vito, Costa Rica - The Persistent Rainmaker, Manizales, Colombia - The High-Altitude Rain Machine, Manchester, United Kingdom - The Persistent Drizzle Champion, Monrovia, Liberia - The Wettest Capital in the World

There are many unique experiences in Costa Rica, which might be known for its lush views and exciting activities, but many travelers may now be aware that one of its cities gets 253 days of rain every year. Located about 5 hours away from San José, San Vito receives, on average, 5,074 millimeters (199.8 inches) of precipitation annually. Picture a place where rain is so frequent that locals probably schedule their lives around the brief dry moments. The number of rainy days is pretty much the same throughout the entire year, but earlier up in the year (January - March), the volume is slightly less. If planning a trip to San Vito and trying to avoid the high precipitation is on the agenda, it's best to visit in February. The number of rainy days will seem a little intense, but the rainfall volume during the month is 118 millimeters (4.6 inches). This Costa Rican town is nature's way of showing us that paradise comes with its own built-in sprinkler system.

Manizales, Colombia - The High-Altitude Rain Machine

Syracuse, New York - America's Wettest City, Buffalo, New York - The Lake Effect Champion, Bergen, Norway - Europe's Rain Capital, Hilo, Hawaii - Paradise with a Permanent Shower, Tutunendo, Colombia - The World's Wettest Small Town, Lloró, Colombia - The Ultimate Rain Champion, Quibdó, Colombia - Where Sunshine is a Luxury, Whittier, Alaska - America's Isolated Rain Haven, San Vito, Costa Rica - The Persistent Rainmaker, Manizales, Colombia - The High-Altitude Rain Machine, Manchester, United Kingdom - The Persistent Drizzle Champion, Monrovia, Liberia - The Wettest Capital in the World

Located in Columbia, the city of Manizales experiences not only a lot of rainfall every 15,630 millimeters (615.4 inches) but also a high number of rainy days. Wait, that number seems like a typo—615 inches would be over 50 feet of rain! Let's just say Manizales gets an extraordinary amount of precipitation. The month with the most precipitation is July, whilst the month with the least is February. For visitors that don't mind the rain but can't handle humidity, a good month to consider is January. The humidity in Manizales in January is in the 80s, this might still seem a little high for most, but it's the lowest it will be during the year. This Colombian mountain city proves that altitude doesn't protect you from rain—sometimes it just makes the storms more dramatic.

Manchester, United Kingdom - The Persistent Drizzle Champion

Syracuse, New York - America's Wettest City, Buffalo, New York - The Lake Effect Champion, Bergen, Norway - Europe's Rain Capital, Hilo, Hawaii - Paradise with a Permanent Shower, Tutunendo, Colombia - The World's Wettest Small Town, Lloró, Colombia - The Ultimate Rain Champion, Quibdó, Colombia - Where Sunshine is a Luxury, Whittier, Alaska - America's Isolated Rain Haven, San Vito, Costa Rica - The Persistent Rainmaker, Manizales, Colombia - The High-Altitude Rain Machine, Manchester, United Kingdom - The Persistent Drizzle Champion, Monrovia, Liberia - The Wettest Capital in the World

Although it may not get as much rain as some other English cities in terms of amount, Manchester averages 140 to 150 rainy days every year. Plan on packing a raincoat; Manchester didn't get its rainy reputation for being dry. Manchester's relationship with rain is legendary—it's the kind of persistent, gentle drizzle that has become part of the city's identity. Think of Manchester rain as the city's natural soundtrack, providing a constant, gentle percussion that accompanies daily life. The locals have perfected the art of living with perpetual moisture, developing a stoic acceptance that would make philosophers proud. In Manchester, owning a good raincoat isn't just practical—it's a fashion statement and a badge of local membership.

Monrovia, Liberia - The Wettest Capital in the World

Syracuse, New York - America's Wettest City, Buffalo, New York - The Lake Effect Champion, Bergen, Norway - Europe's Rain Capital, Hilo, Hawaii - Paradise with a Permanent Shower, Tutunendo, Colombia - The World's Wettest Small Town, Lloró, Colombia - The Ultimate Rain Champion, Quibdó, Colombia - Where Sunshine is a Luxury, Whittier, Alaska - America's Isolated Rain Haven, San Vito, Costa Rica - The Persistent Rainmaker, Manizales, Colombia - The High-Altitude Rain Machine, Manchester, United Kingdom - The Persistent Drizzle Champion, Monrovia, Liberia - The Wettest Capital in the World

Apart from being Liberia's capital, Monrovia is also known as the wettest capital city globally, with an annual average rainfall of 179 inches. With an average of 202 inches of annual rainfall and over 180 wet days each year, Monrovia is the wettest capital city in the world. Imagine running a country where cabinet meetings might regularly be interrupted by the drumming of rain on the roof. Monrovia holds the unique distinction of being the capital city where weather reports are probably more important than political news. There are also plenty of tourist attractions in the town, probably not more than the rainfall travelers will experience when they're there. Have a West African cultural tour in the Liberian National Museum, visit the abandoned and creepy Hotel Ducor, and take a wildlife trip to the UNESCO World Heritage site Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve. This West African coastal city proves that being a political center doesn't shield you from nature's most persistent weather patterns.

These twelve towns and cities represent some of the world's most extraordinary relationships with rain. From the lake-effect storms of upstate New York to the tropical deluges of Colombia, each place has developed its own unique culture around constant precipitation. The residents of these wet havens have learned something the rest of us are still figuring out—that rain isn't just weather to endure, but a natural rhythm that shapes entire ways of life. Who knew that getting soaked could be such a fascinating way to experience our planet's incredible diversity?