Discover the Rainiest Place in Mississippi

Progress always starts with a single step. The city of Gautier, Mississippi, is a perfect example of how a single business idea turned one unincorporated area into the city it is today. Gautier is located along the Gulf of Mexico, allowing residents to enjoy coastal living. It’s described as a bedroom resort community, as job opportunities are mostly found outside the city. There is a lot of water in Gautier — wetlands and bayous surround the city. As if that weren’t enough, it also receives the most rain in the state! Yes, Gautier is the rainiest place in Mississippi. But can you guess how many inches of rain per year?

History of Gautier, Mississippi

Gautier was named after Fernando Upton Gautier. He’s the reason why the city began growing back in 1867 when he set up shop for his business, Fernando Gautier & Sons Sawmill. His business location meant trains would be coming through to pick up lumber. Since the location became important, it got its own spot on maps.

At the time, hardly any people lived there (a couple hundred at most). They had already given the area the name “Gautier” due to Gautier’s status. The town remained a rural environment until 1939 when World War II started. It wasn’t until 1986 that Gautier incorporated and officially became the city of Gautier.

Average Precipitation in Gautier, the Rainiest Place in Mississippi

On average, Gautier, the rainiest place in Mississippi, receives 67 inches of rain every year. That is significantly more than the U.S. average, which is only 38 inches of rain every year. There is no snowfall in Gautier. On average, 221 days out of the year are sunny. There is some level of measurable precipitation for 98 days throughout the year, primarily throughout late summer in July.

Summers in Gautier can be described as long and hot, and the winters are short, windy, and cold. Average temperatures range from 44 °F to 89 °F. It’s rare for temperatures to dip any lower than 30 °F or to peak any higher than 93 °F. Throughout the year, it’s partly cloudy and wet. Wet days are measured when there are at least 0.04 inches of precipitation (could be liquid like rain or liquid equivalent like hail). Every year, the chance of wet days varies wildly in Gautier.

It’s typically wetter between the months of June and September. Each day within this range has at least a 40% chance of being wet. On average, the month of July is the wettest, with 17 days of the month having measurable precipitation. It’s drier between September and June. The driest month on average is October, with only seven days having measurable precipitation. Although hail is a possibility, Gautier receives precipitation primarily in the form of rain.

Where is the Rainiest Place in Mississippi Located on a Map?

Gautier is a city in Jackson County, Mississippi, along the Gulf of Mexico west of Pascagoula. It is part of the Pascagoula Metropolitan Statistical Area. The Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge is located in Gautier.

The population of Gautier, Mississippi

What started off as only a couple hundred residents has grown exponentially, with the city housing just over 19,000 people today. The city covers 30.3 square miles and has a growth rate of 0.24%. It ranks 21st in terms of the largest cities in the state of Mississippi. Its racial composition includes 57.95% white, 30.78% black, 2.11% Asian, and other races at 7.06%.

This environment is fantastic for nature lovers who get the most out of the coast, participate in charter fishing, or just enjoy the day at a golf course. To take in the scenery, locals, and visitors can go hiking, take part in an eco-tour, or just take a sunset cruise to enjoy a relaxing two-hour trip. Finally, for a bit of competitive fun, you can head over to the bowling center, where you can also enjoy drinks and play some pool.   

Wildlife in Gautier, Mississippi

Perhaps the most popular yet endangered animal in Gautier is the sandhill crane. In fact, Gautier is home to the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. Here, visitors can enjoy hiking, taking pictures, and learning more about these endangered birds at the visitor center. The hike is a ¾ mile trail and offers a look at abundant plant life (at its best in spring). If you arrive with your camera in hand, you can look for several other birds, including songbirds, eastern bluebirds, and Backman’s sparrows. Over the bayous and the savanna, there is more action. Here, you can spot red-tailed hawks, ospreys, and harriers.

Several mammals call this environment home as well. You might be lucky enough to spot a white-tailed deer, fox, or raccoon. If you close your eyes and take in the wildlife refuge just using your sense of hearing, you can make out a crane’s bugle or hear a pig frog’s grunts. Cricket frogs serve as your background music as well. If you’re interested in watching crane feeding, you may be able to visit in January and February, so long as the conditions are favorable.