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 Georgia 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.
![#50. Clay County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign13X9H6.png)
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#50. Clay County
– Five-year precipitation average: 56.52 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 51.26 inches (#59 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -1.02 inches below norm
![#49. Madison County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign11H404.png)
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#49. Madison County
– Five-year precipitation average: 56.76 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 48.38 inches (#59 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -1.32 inches below norm
![#48. Pike County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign2164JQ.png)
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#48. Pike County
– Five-year precipitation average: 56.82 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 49.32 inches (#62 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -0.97 inches below norm
![#47. Rockdale County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign3XHIJ.png)
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#47. Rockdale County
– Five-year precipitation average: 56.91 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 52.25 inches (#77 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 1.82 inches above norm
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#46. Oconee County
– Five-year precipitation average: 56.92 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 51.09 inches (#73 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 1.21 inches above norm
![#45. Bartow County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign1892AA.png)
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#45. Bartow County
– Five-year precipitation average: 56.92 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 51.13 inches (#69 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -0.14 inches below norm
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#44. Walton County
– Five-year precipitation average: 57.06 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 51.48 inches (#71 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 0.92 inches above norm
![#43. Muscogee County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign17PX10.png)
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#43. Muscogee County
– Five-year precipitation average: 57.08 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 48.68 inches (#64 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -0.94 inches below norm
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#42. Clarke County
– Five-year precipitation average: 57.21 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 50.67 inches (#71 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 0.72 inches above norm
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#41. Paulding County
– Five-year precipitation average: 57.24 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 52.98 inches (#75 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 1.50 inches above norm
![#40. Fayette County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign6VKCW.png)
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#40. Fayette County
– Five-year precipitation average: 57.59 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 52.72 inches (#83 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 2.58 inches above norm
![#39. Cobb County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign16W5S6.png)
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#39. Cobb County
– Five-year precipitation average: 58.18 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 52.97 inches (#76 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 1.76 inches above norm
![#38. Meriwether County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign13JKWY.png)
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#38. Meriwether County
– Five-year precipitation average: 58.41 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 49.69 inches (#59 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -1.47 inches below norm
![#37. Clayton County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign14I965.png)
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#37. Clayton County
– Five-year precipitation average: 58.47 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 53.45 inches (#88 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 3.33 inches above norm
![#36. Harris County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign20LY98.png)
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#36. Harris County
– Five-year precipitation average: 58.56 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 49.62 inches (#56 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -1.76 inches below norm
![#35. Troup County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign4I28F.png)
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#35. Troup County
– Five-year precipitation average: 58.68 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 51.64 inches (#63 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -0.18 inches below norm
![#34. DeKalb County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign27K80E.png)
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#34. DeKalb County
– Five-year precipitation average: 59.48 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 54.13 inches (#85 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 3.57 inches above norm
![#33. Coweta County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign21TRSK.png)
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#33. Coweta County
– Five-year precipitation average: 59.54 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 55.34 inches (#89 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 4.01 inches above norm
![#32. Polk County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign22NTFE.png)
JNix // Shutterstock
#32. Polk County
– Five-year precipitation average: 59.61 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 56.23 inches (#93 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 5.02 inches above norm
![#31. Cherokee County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign12OMX8.png)
Darryl Brooks // Shutterstock
#31. Cherokee County
– Five-year precipitation average: 59.73 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 52.56 inches (#57 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -1.03 inches below norm
![#30. Barrow County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign17Z4PW.png)
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#30. Barrow County
– Five-year precipitation average: 59.76 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 52.69 inches (#74 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 1.97 inches above norm
![#29. Fulton County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/39georgiaROMT.jpg)
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#29. Fulton County
– Five-year precipitation average: 59.95 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 54.84 inches (#85 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 3.85 inches above norm
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#28. Jackson County
– Five-year precipitation average: 60.07 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 52.69 inches (#78 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 2.09 inches above norm
![#27. Gwinnett County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign16IP0T.png)
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#27. Gwinnett County
– Five-year precipitation average: 60.81 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 55.50 inches (#89 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 4.17 inches above norm
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#26. Heard County
– Five-year precipitation average: 60.94 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 57.42 inches (#88 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 4.40 inches above norm
![#25. Walker County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign71SBX.png)
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#25. Walker County
– Five-year precipitation average: 61.10 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 54.12 inches (#72 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 0.24 inches above norm
![#24. Douglas County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign31XOB9.png)
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#24. Douglas County
– Five-year precipitation average: 61.12 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 56.32 inches (#83 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 4.35 inches above norm
![#23. Stephens County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign7B477.png)
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#23. Stephens County
– Five-year precipitation average: 61.71 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 51.96 inches (#45 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -3.87 inches below norm
![#22. Floyd County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign7I976.png)
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#22. Floyd County
– Five-year precipitation average: 61.81 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 54.96 inches (#85 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 2.82 inches above norm
![#21. Banks County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign16XUNB.png)
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#21. Banks County
– Five-year precipitation average: 61.89 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 53.14 inches (#66 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 0.19 inches above norm
![#20. Catoosa County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign78PAY.png)
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#20. Catoosa County
– Five-year precipitation average: 61.98 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 52.50 inches (#64 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -0.48 inches below norm
![#19. Gordon County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign13EB3S.png)
JNix // Shutterstock
#19. Gordon County
– Five-year precipitation average: 61.99 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 52.03 inches (#59 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -0.81 inches below norm
![#18. Forsyth County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign8X5HY.png)
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#18. Forsyth County
– Five-year precipitation average: 63.37 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 58.37 inches (#93 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 4.75 inches above norm
![#17. Pickens County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign19T1PJ.png)
RodClementPhotography // Shutterstock
#17. Pickens County
– Five-year precipitation average: 63.70 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 51.34 inches (#29 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -6.28 inches below norm
![#16. Haralson County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign19OUJ0.png)
Harris Aerial Solutions // Shutterstock
#16. Haralson County
– Five-year precipitation average: 63.90 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 60.59 inches (#101 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 7.32 inches above norm
![#15. Carroll County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign6RTOS.png)
JNix // Shutterstock
#15. Carroll County
– Five-year precipitation average: 64.79 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 61.09 inches (#102 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 7.53 inches above norm
![#14. Whitfield County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign12Y640.png)
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#14. Whitfield County
– Five-year precipitation average: 64.89 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 53.18 inches (#64 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -0.47 inches below norm
![#13. Hall County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign17K5HZ.png)
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#13. Hall County
– Five-year precipitation average: 65.10 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 56.86 inches (#77 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 2.16 inches above norm
![#12. Dade County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign24XU33.png)
JNix // Shutterstock
#12. Dade County
– Five-year precipitation average: 65.33 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 56.04 inches (#77 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 1.88 inches above norm
![#11. Chattooga County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign1119OC.png)
Thomas Barrat // Shutterstock
#11. Chattooga County
– Five-year precipitation average: 65.76 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 56.77 inches (#75 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 1.87 inches above norm
![#10. Dawson County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign25OAHI.png)
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#10. Dawson County
– Five-year precipitation average: 68.17 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 57.90 inches (#56 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -1.51 inches below norm
![#9. Murray County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign16A0GG.png)
Jeff Kinsey // Shutterstock
#9. Murray County
– Five-year precipitation average: 71.62 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 56.16 inches (#66 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -0.10 inches below norm
![#8. Gilmer County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign10R1ZM.png)
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#8. Gilmer County
– Five-year precipitation average: 72.42 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 56.67 inches (#39 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -4.87 inches below norm
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#7. Habersham County
– Five-year precipitation average: 73.20 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 58.72 inches (#42 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -4.98 inches below norm
![#6. Fannin County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign5AS8K.png)
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#6. Fannin County
– Five-year precipitation average: 73.22 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 58.09 inches (#54 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -1.95 inches below norm
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#5. Lumpkin County
– Five-year precipitation average: 75.03 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 61.66 inches (#58 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -1.05 inches below norm
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#4. Union County
– Five-year precipitation average: 75.20 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 60.04 inches (#60 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -0.87 inches below norm
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#3. Towns County
– Five-year precipitation average: 75.68 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 60.66 inches (#50 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -2.27 inches below norm
![#2. White County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign11WV78.png)
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#2. White County
– Five-year precipitation average: 77.50 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 62.85 inches (#55 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -1.17 inches below norm
![#1. Rabun County](https://static.stacker.com/s3fs-public/styles/1280x720/s3/Untitleddesign13J18.png)
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#1. Rabun County
– Five-year precipitation average: 79.51 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 65.70 inches (#48 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: -3.66 inches below norm