These are the wettest counties in Georgia

May 5, 2023
6 mins read
These are the wettest counties in Georgia

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 schoolβ€”Earth’s water cycle. A system in endless motion, the water cycle traces the process through which water exists in its three primary phasesβ€”liquid, solid, and gasβ€”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 atmosphereβ€”and the speed at which it does soβ€”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 β€œwet” regionsβ€”such as Washington state and Alaska in the northwest and Georgia and Mississippi in the southeastβ€”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.

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
Josemejia // Shutterstock

#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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
Paul Brennan // Shutterstock

#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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
Brett Barnhill // Shutterstock

#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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
chase s wingo // Shutterstock

#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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
Marcus E Jones // Shutterstock

#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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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#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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

These are the wettest counties in Georgia
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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

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