Wettest counties in Indiana

Written by:
May 5, 2023
Canva

Wettest counties in Indiana

Rain, sleet, snow, hail, wintry mix. Precipitation takes on many forms, and the degree to which climate change affects precipitation levels comes down to something almost everyone learns about in school—Earth's water cycle. A system in endless motion, the water cycle traces the process through which water exists in its three primary phases—liquid, solid, and gas—as it moves perpetually between the Earth and its atmosphere.

Increases in precipitation frequency and intensity are markers of climate change. When temperatures rise and oceans grow warmer, the amount of water that evaporates into the atmosphere—and the speed at which it does so—also increases. As atmospheric circulation carries the moisture-rich air over land or pushes it into a storm system, heavy rain or snow is often the result.

The continental U.S. on average received about 30 inches of precipitation between March 2022 and February 2023. Traditionally "wet" regions—such as Washington state and Alaska in the northwest and Georgia and Mississippi in the southeast—continue to have some of the rainiest counties in the United States. Other areas such as Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska, as well as pockets of the South and of California, experience the opposite extreme: drought, also largely a product of climate change.

Stacker cited data from the National Centers for Environmental Information to identify the counties in Indiana that receive the most precipitation through rain, sleet, or snow. Counties are ranked by five-year precipitation averages in inches as of February 2023 with rainfall over the past year serving as a tiebreaker. Supplementary data on how last year's precipitation compares to the 100-year average for the area is also included.

1 / 50
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

#50. Hendricks County

- Five-year precipitation average: 42.80 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 35.62 inches (#32 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -3.89 inches below norm
2 / 50
Canva

#49. Randolph County

- Five-year precipitation average: 42.92 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 34.33 inches (#27 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -4.47 inches below norm
3 / 50
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#48. Marion County

- Five-year precipitation average: 43.03 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 36.84 inches (#38 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -2.30 inches below norm
4 / 50
Canva

#47. Parke County

- Five-year precipitation average: 43.95 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 36.02 inches (#40 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -2.84 inches below norm
5 / 50
Canva

#46. Putnam County

- Five-year precipitation average: 44.72 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 37.13 inches (#40 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -3.30 inches below norm
6 / 50
Canva

#45. Vigo County

- Five-year precipitation average: 45.07 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 37.80 inches (#50 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -1.78 inches below norm
7 / 50
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

#44. Henry County

- Five-year precipitation average: 45.22 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 37.75 inches (#41 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -2.02 inches below norm
8 / 50
Canva

#43. Wayne County

- Five-year precipitation average: 45.61 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 36.49 inches (#34 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -3.06 inches below norm
9 / 50
Canva

#42. Hancock County

- Five-year precipitation average: 45.66 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 38.54 inches (#47 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -0.81 inches below norm
10 / 50
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

#41. Johnson County

- Five-year precipitation average: 45.90 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 37.56 inches (#37 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -3.08 inches below norm
11 / 50
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

#40. Morgan County

- Five-year precipitation average: 45.91 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 37.84 inches (#39 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -2.76 inches below norm
12 / 50
Canva

#39. Franklin County

- Five-year precipitation average: 46.02 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 38.31 inches (#44 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -2.26 inches below norm
13 / 50
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

#38. Union County

- Five-year precipitation average: 46.32 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 38.34 inches (#45 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -1.88 inches below norm
14 / 50
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

#37. Clay County

- Five-year precipitation average: 46.34 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 39.40 inches (#51 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -1.19 inches below norm
15 / 50
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

#36. Fayette County

- Five-year precipitation average: 46.42 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 39.05 inches (#49 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -1.09 inches below norm
16 / 50
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

#35. Rush County

- Five-year precipitation average: 46.54 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 38.97 inches (#47 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -1.48 inches below norm
17 / 50
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

#34. Shelby County

- Five-year precipitation average: 46.85 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 38.22 inches (#40 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -2.36 inches below norm
18 / 50
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

#33. Sullivan County

- Five-year precipitation average: 47.76 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 40.54 inches (#54 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -0.40 inches below norm
19 / 50
Canva

#32. Owen County

- Five-year precipitation average: 47.81 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 39.32 inches (#43 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -2.61 inches below norm
20 / 50
Canva

#31. Monroe County

- Five-year precipitation average: 48.24 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 38.99 inches (#35 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -3.80 inches below norm
21 / 50
Wirestock Creators // Shutterstock

#30. Dearborn County

- Five-year precipitation average: 48.65 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 41.78 inches (#60 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 0.75 inches above norm
22 / 50
Canva

#29. Brown County

- Five-year precipitation average: 48.70 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 38.55 inches (#38 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -3.26 inches below norm
23 / 50
Canva

#28. Decatur County

- Five-year precipitation average: 48.93 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 38.57 inches (#36 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -2.98 inches below norm
24 / 50
Canva

#27. Bartholomew County

- Five-year precipitation average: 48.99 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 38.14 inches (#40 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -3.09 inches below norm
25 / 50
Canva

#26. Posey County

- Five-year precipitation average: 49.18 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 39.32 inches (#33 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -4.63 inches below norm
26 / 50
Canva

#25. Jennings County

- Five-year precipitation average: 49.32 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 39.45 inches (#38 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -3.15 inches below norm
27 / 50
RozenskiP // Shutterstock

#24. Ripley County

- Five-year precipitation average: 49.55 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 40.73 inches (#47 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -1.59 inches below norm
28 / 50
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

#23. Greene County

- Five-year precipitation average: 49.85 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 41.97 inches (#54 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -0.70 inches below norm
29 / 50
Canva

#22. Vanderburgh County

- Five-year precipitation average: 50.13 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 38.35 inches (#30 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -5.57 inches below norm
30 / 50
Canva

#21. Jackson County

- Five-year precipitation average: 50.23 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 40.60 inches (#48 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -1.73 inches below norm
31 / 50
Gaston Piccinetti // Shutterstock

#20. Ohio County

- Five-year precipitation average: 51.37 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 44.70 inches (#75 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 3.21 inches above norm
32 / 50
Canva

#19. Gibson County

- Five-year precipitation average: 51.91 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 41.91 inches (#48 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -1.36 inches below norm
33 / 50
shutter_breaker // Shutterstock

#18. Scott County

- Five-year precipitation average: 52.02 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 43.74 inches (#61 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 1.19 inches above norm
34 / 50
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

#17. Daviess County

- Five-year precipitation average: 52.02 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 49.33 inches (#93 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 6.25 inches above norm
35 / 50
Canva

#16. Knox County

- Five-year precipitation average: 52.10 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 48.01 inches (#87 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 5.32 inches above norm
36 / 50
SevenMaps // Shutterstock

#15. Switzerland County

- Five-year precipitation average: 52.32 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 46.21 inches (#78 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 4.01 inches above norm
37 / 50
Tom Reichner // Shutterstock

#14. Pike County

- Five-year precipitation average: 52.60 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 47.37 inches (#82 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 3.78 inches above norm
38 / 50
Canva

#13. Jefferson County

- Five-year precipitation average: 52.73 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 46.59 inches (#80 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 3.37 inches above norm
39 / 50
Canva

#12. Warrick County

- Five-year precipitation average: 52.98 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 41.41 inches (#46 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -2.39 inches below norm
40 / 50
Kenneth Keifer // Shutterstock

#11. Lawrence County

- Five-year precipitation average: 53.10 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 46.00 inches (#71 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 2.09 inches above norm
41 / 50
SevenMaps // Shutterstock

#10. Washington County

- Five-year precipitation average: 53.57 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 43.47 inches (#51 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -0.63 inches below norm
42 / 50
Canva

#9. Spencer County

- Five-year precipitation average: 54.23 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 43.63 inches (#54 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -1.03 inches below norm
43 / 50
Canva

#8. Floyd County

- Five-year precipitation average: 54.37 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 40.66 inches (#38 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -2.85 inches below norm
44 / 50
Melinda Fawver // Shutterstock

#7. Harrison County

- Five-year precipitation average: 54.40 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 42.01 inches (#41 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -2.49 inches below norm
45 / 50
Canva

#6. Clark County

- Five-year precipitation average: 54.53 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 42.94 inches (#51 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -0.26 inches below norm
46 / 50
Lost Shoe Studios // Shutterstock

#5. Martin County

- Five-year precipitation average: 54.69 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 48.85 inches (#83 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 4.93 inches above norm
47 / 50
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

#4. Dubois County

- Five-year precipitation average: 55.62 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 48.80 inches (#81 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 4.53 inches above norm
48 / 50
Canva

#3. Perry County

- Five-year precipitation average: 55.72 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 46.24 inches (#59 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 0.82 inches above norm
49 / 50
Golden Ratio Photos // Shutterstock

#2. Crawford County

- Five-year precipitation average: 55.75 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 46.65 inches (#63 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 1.34 inches above norm
50 / 50
Canva

#1. Orange County

- Five-year precipitation average: 55.87 inches
- Precipitation over the past year: 49.04 inches (#75 rainiest year since 1895)
- Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 4.15 inches above norm

Trending Now