Give Now

Climate Central

Researching and reporting the
science and impacts of climate change

× +

Who We Are

An independent organization of leading scientists and journalists researching and reporting the facts about our changing climate and its impact on the public.

What We Do

Climate Central surveys and conducts scientific research on climate change and informs the public of key findings. Our scientists publish and our journalists report on climate science, energy, sea level rise. Read More

About Our Expertise

Members of the Climate Central staff and board are among the most respected leaders in climate science. Staff members are authorities in communicating climate and weather links, sea level rise, climate. Read More

Climate Central
  • Home
  • Research
    • Publications
  • Partnership Journalism
  • Gallery
    • Interactives
    • Graphics
    • Maps
    • Collections
  • Videos
    • Extreme Weather
    • States of Change
    • On the Media
    • Climate in Context
    • News and Reports
  • Media Library
  • News Archive
  • What We Do
    • Mission Statement
    • What We Do
    • Board
    • Staff
    • Our Programs
      • Climate Science
      • Climate Matters
      • Sea Level Rise
    • History
    • Support Us
      • Your Support Matters
      • Why Climate Central
      • Ways to Give
      • Learn More
    • Financials
    • For the Media
    • Legal/Terms of Use
    • Jobs
    • Climate Services
    • Press Releases
    • Editorial Independence Policy
  • Support Our Work
Changing Rainfall Patterns in the U.S.
Download high resolution versions

Changing Rainfall Patterns in the U.S.

  • Published: May 8th, 2014

If you feel like there is more rain than there used to be, you are correct. As the graphic above shows, overall precipitation for the continental U.S. is up five percent.

Even with the national rainfall total on the rise, there are major regional variations. For example, parts of the West and Southwest have seen a drop in their average precipitation, with sections of Arizona down 15 percent — only worsening drought conditions in these places. But the Northeast and Southern Great Plains have both received an eight percent rise in their precipitation total, while the Midwest's rainfall rise is up nine percent - the same region that has swung from flood to drought to flood in the span of three years. There is even a swath of land from North Dakota down to Oklahoma where rainfall amounts have risen by as much as 15 percent.

While there is natural variation in weather patterns, a warming globe and the buildup of heat-trapping greenhouse gases has created an atmosphere that holds more moisture. This means there is more moisture available to fall back down.

Posted in Impacts, Trends, Climate, Extremes, Flooding, Drought, Water, Weather, Basics, United States, US National

Featured Research

Picturing Our Future

Picturing Our Future

Seniors at Risk: Heat and Climate Change

Seniors at Risk: Heat and Climate Change

Report: Flooded Future: Global vulnerability to sea level rise worse than previously understood

Report: Flooded Future: Global vulnerability to sea level rise worse than previously understood

Extreme Heat: When Outdoor Sports Become Risky

Extreme Heat: When Outdoor Sports Become Risky

Climate Change is Threatening Air Quality across the Country

Climate Change is Threatening Air Quality across the Country

Ocean at the Door: New Homes and the Rising Sea

Ocean at the Door: New Homes and the Rising Sea

Climate Central

  • Copyright © 2022 Climate Central.
  • Contact
  • Terms
  • Content Licensing
  • Privacy
  • Site Map