While London may be famous for its gloomy and rainy weather, its total annual rainfall is pale compared to the rainiest cities in the United States. Even New York City, with an average of 49.9 inches of rain per year, and both Rochester and Buffalo, New York, with 167 days of rain each year (or just 198 dry days), are rainier than London.
London averages about 106 days of rain each year and receives a total of 22.976 inches (583.6 millimeters) of precipitation annually. Comparatively, the six wettest major cities in the United States average more than 50 inches of rain per year with at least 70 rainy days:
- New Orleans, Louisiana: 63.5 inches, 119 days
- Miami, Florida: 61.9 inches, 128 days
- Birmingham, Alabama: 53.7 inches, 117 days
- Memphis, Tennessee: 53.6 inches, 79 days
- Orlando, Florida: 53.1 inches, 75 days
- Jacksonville, Florida: 50.4 inches, 74 days
Also, the rainiest place in the United States is Mt. Waialeale on Kauai in Hawaii, which receives approximately 460 inches (11,684 millimeters) of rain each year; However, the peak of this volcanic mountain is only accessible by helicopter.
The weather in London
In general, London has a relatively temperate climate with temperatures ranging from 37 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius) in January to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius) in July.
Perhaps the reason London is considered a humid and cloudy city is that rainfall totals remain constant throughout the year, with each month seeing between 13 and 19 days of precipitation, totaling between 1.3 and 2.8 inches (35 and 71 millimeters) monthly. In addition, London receives relatively few hours of sunshine a day throughout the year, getting only one to two hours in the winter months (November to early March) and four to seven hours a day during the rest of the year.
The weather in New Orleans
Considered the rainiest of the major cities in the United States, New Orleans experiences 119 days of rain and accumulates a total of 63.5 inches of precipitation annually. In general, the climate in New Orleans is temperate if not extremely humid in the summer; Temperatures range from 47 degrees Fahrenheit in January to 90 in July and August, with an annual mean temperature of 77.1 degrees Fahrenheit and an average low temperature of 62.3.
The wettest season for New Orleans is in the summer during the height of the Atlantic hurricane season (June to November), May to September receives 10 to 15 days and 5.5 to 7 inches of rain per month, in average. By contrast, the driest time to visit New Orleans is in mid-spring and throughout the fall season; May, October, and November receive about seven days of precipitation and only a total of 3.6 to 5.4 inches of rain per month.
The weather in Miami
Even one of sunny Florida’s most popular tourist destinations, Miami, is rainier than London, receiving a total of 61.9 inches of rain annually over the course of 128 days. However, Miami’s annual weather is a bit drier and warmer overall, with temperatures ranging from a low of 60 degrees Fahrenheit in January to a high of 91 in July and August and high and low averages ranging between 69.9 and 84.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
Like New Orleans, Miami’s wettest season is in the summer, throughout the Atlantic hurricane season. You can expect 13 to 18 days of monthly rainfall between June and October with an average of 6.3 to 9.8 inches of rain per month. The driest seasons are winter and spring, when Miami receives only five to seven days of rain a month, accumulating between 1.6 and 3.1 inches of monthly precipitation.
Climate in Birmingham
Although off the beaten track of American tourism, the city of Birmingham and the surrounding mountain lakes provide ample opportunities for outdoor adventures, despite the region’s relatively humid climate. Birmingham temperatures range from a low of 34 degrees Fahrenheit in January to a high of 91 in July and August, with an annual average high temperature of 73.8 degrees Fahrenheit and an average annual low temperature of 52.8.
The wettest season in Birmingham is spring, which records between nine and 11 days of precipitation and a total accumulation of between 4.3 and 6.2 inches of precipitation (including snowfall in March). In contrast, the driest season is late summer and early fall (between September and November), when the city sees seven to nine days of rain and total accumulations of 3.4 to 4.8 inches of rain per month.
Weather in Memphis
Unlike the other rainiest major cities in the United States, Memphis’ rainfall totals don’t vary much throughout the year, with each month accumulating between 2.8 and 5.7 inches of rain over 10 to 15 days. Temperatures are also relatively cooler than in other parts of the south, with a low of 33 degrees Fahrenheit in January and a high of 92 in July.
The wettest seasons in Memphis, by a narrow margin, are winter and spring, when the city receives more than five inches of rainfall (including an inch or two of snow) per month. In contrast, the summer months of July through September receive the least amount of accumulated rain, totaling between 2.8 and 4.6 inches of rain per month during the season.
The weather in Orlando
Another of Florida’s most popular tourist destinations, especially for its theme park attractions, Orlando is also rainier than London with a total of 53.1 inches of precipitation and 75 days of rain per year. Like most of central and southern Florida, Orlando’s climate is relatively hot and humid year-round, with a low of 50 degrees Fahrenheit in January and a high of 92 in July and August, an annual average high of 82.4 and a low annual average. temperature of 64.3 degrees Fahrenheit.
Orlando’s wettest season is the summer and early fall, also known as the Atlantic hurricane season, in which between six and 8.7 inches of precipitation occurs each month from June to September. The driest season, on the other hand, is winter, which only receives an average of 2.5 inches of rain per month from November to mid-March.
Weather in Jacksonville, Florida
While not as rainy year-round as London, Jacksonville sees enough rain during hurricane season (June through November) to make it one of the rainiest cities in America, racking up a total of 50.4 inches of precipitation over the course. only 74 days. The city experiences its lowest average temperatures in January, which sees a decrease of 39 degrees Fahrenheit, and July and August are its warmest months at 92 degrees Fahrenheit; Average annual high and low temperatures range from 79.9 to 55.9 degrees Fahrenheit.
Like other parts of the southeastern coast of the United States, Jacksonville’s wettest season is during the summer and Atlantic hurricane season, roughly June through September, when the city receives 6.5 to 7.2 inches of rain. per month. Fortunately, Jacksonville has only been hit by one hurricane directly (Hurricane Dora in 1964), but it still receives large amounts of hurricane-like conditions due to its proximity to the path of most of these tropical storms.
The rainiest place in the world: Mount Waialeale, Hawaii
On the island of Kauai, Mount Waialeale rises 5,148 feet above sea level and holds the world record for being the rainiest place on earth. This is due in large part to its unique geology; Its volcanic shield traps moisture from the trade winds, and its steep cliffs trap and concentrate rain, resulting in a total of more than 460 inches (11,684 millimeters) of rain accumulation each year.
Comparing the rain in London to the rainiest places in America
While London is definitely a reasonably rainy city, it doesn’t really compare to the rainiest places in the United States or the world. The perception of London as “the rainiest city” definitely comes from popular culture in movies and songs that describe London as a rainy and foggy place; it is often described as gloomy. While the rainy atmosphere has become part of London’s identity, it turns out that it is not entirely accurate; Instead, it appears that London’s rainy reputation has been the result of hundreds of years of poor public relations (PR).
Whether you love or hate the rain, it’s always good to have an idea of what to expect on a big trip. Whether you’re planning a trip to London or visiting one of the rainiest cities in the US, be sure to check the weather ahead of time and prepare before you go by packing a light umbrella, rain jacket, and enough shoes. versatile enough to withstand puddles
