By Stacker

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 Ohio 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.

The five wettest counties in Ohio were:

#5 Clermont County

– Five-year precipitation average: 51.04 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 43.90 inches (#61 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 1.12 inches above norm
47 / 50
Canva

#4. Highland County
– Five-year precipitation average: 51.12 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 44.26 inches (#72 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 1.79 inches above norm
48 / 50
Canva

#3. Monroe County
– Five-year precipitation average: 51.61 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 47.40 inches (#100 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 5.13 inches above norm
49 / 50
ADC Bradley // Shutterstock

#2. Brown County
– Five-year precipitation average: 52.37 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 45.70 inches (#73 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 2.31 inches above norm
50 / 50
Canva

#1. Adams County

– Five-year precipitation average: 53.11 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 45.88 inches (#82 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 3.01 inches above norm
Where did Delaware County end up? The relatively dry landscape and weather put the County in 47th place overall:
#47. Delaware County
– Five-year precipitation average: 43.80 inches
– Precipitation over the past year: 39.38 inches (#66 rainiest year since 1895)
– Precipitation compared to 1901-2000 average: 1.49 inches above norm


1808AM
Sign up here for 1808AM, our incredible weekday morning enewsletter, bringing you the latest Delaware County news -- for free!
You May Also Like

Iconic Films From Controversial Pages

A unique cinematic adventure at the Strand Theatre

In Our Backyard: Four Ohio State Parks To Hold Maple Syrup Festivals

By 1808Delaware 1808Delaware has expanded our coverage to highlight attractions and events…

Next Friday, Love Is In The Air In Downtown Delaware

By 1808Delaware Here’s hoping that the heat of romance is more powerful…

Ohio Muskie Fishing Flourishes Thanks To Stocking Efforts

Special to 1808Delaware The muskellunge, or muskie, is a popular game fish…