Some states experience snow in January, but others experience warm weather, rain, and other conditions. Rain is common nationwide during this month, with the United States seeing an average of 2.31 inches, but like all weather conditions, some areas have more than others. Here are the states that get the most rain in January, on average:
1. Oregon
Portland, OR, receives plenty of rain in January.
©Jess Kraft/Shutterstock.com
The average January precipitation totals for Portland, OR, are 6.0 inches. This area typically sees more rain in November and December, with averages of 6.7 and 6.9 inches, respectively. However, January ranks as its third wettest month of the year, and the rest of the year falls between 0.6 inches in July to 4.6 inches in February.
The record for the most precipitation in Portland, OR, during January occurred in 1953. That January resulted in 12.83 inches of precipitation, which is well above the average.
2. Washington
Washington is one of the January’s rainiest states in the country.
©digidreamgrafic/ via Getty Images
With Seattle having an average January precipitation of 5.8 inches, Washington ranks second for the states that get the most rain. The area also sees about the same rainfall in December, but other months range from 0.75 inches in July to 6.11 in November.
In January 1953, Washington residents experienced the rainiest January in history. During that month, they received 12.92 inches of rain, and the record still hasn’t been beaten.
3. Louisiana
New Orleans receives an average of 5.2 inches of rain in January.
©UWMadison/ via Getty Images
New Orleans and Biloxi, LA, average 5.2 inches of rain each January, and Baton Rouge’s average is 5.7. In the summer months of June, July, and August, Louisiana receives more rain than in the winter. The rest of the year is similar to or less than the January averages, with a few rare anomalies.
The rainiest January in Louisiana happened in 1998 when the area received 19.28 inches of precipitation.
4. Alabama
Alabama receives more rain in January than many other states.
©SeanPavonePhoto/iStock via Getty Images
With Birmingham receiving an average of 5.1 inches of rain in January, Alabama ranks fourth on the list. This average is comparable to rainfall in other months, with some ranging from 5.7 inches in March to 3.3 inches in October. The area received the most January rain in 1937, with a total of 13.37 inches.Â
5. Georgia
You won’t have to worry about not getting rain in January if you live in Georgia because Atlanta averages 4.6 inches.
©iStock.com/Sean Davis
Atlanta, GA, averages 4.6 inches of precipitation in January. This average is consistent with the rest of the year, where average precipitation ranges from 3.6 in May to 4.8 in July. The average is slightly lower than in 1996, when they received 8.3 inches of rain.
Summary of the States That Get the Most Rain in January
| Rank | State | Average Rain in January (Inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | 6.0 |
| 2 | Washington | 5.8 |
| 3 | Louisiana | 5.2 |
| 4 | Alabama | 5.1 |
| 5 | Georgia | 4.6 |
The photo featured at the top of this post is © MakDill/Shutterstock.com
How to Add Us to Google News
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.
