If you’ve had it with rainy weather and are wondering which U.S. states have the driest climate, you’re in the right place. Thanks to unique weather patterns, deserts, and high-altitude landscapes, certain states lead the pack in terms of low rainfall.
But dryness isn’t just about a lack of rain. It has to do with wind patterns, mountains creating rain shadows, and huge desert expanses that make a place almost immune to a rainy day. Different states have developed their own ways of adapting to dryness — people, animals, and landscapes all play a role.
7. Idaho (16.91 inches)
Idaho might not seem like a contender for this list, especially with its snowy mountains studded with Western white pines — its national tree. But it surprises us with an average of just 16.91 inches of rain, most of which hits the higher elevations in the northern parts of the state.
Idaho’s lower plains and southern regions around Snake River Plain are a whole different story. Thanks to the Rocky Mountains casting a long rain shadow, July and August are hot and arid.
But, its dryness is a big part of the state’s rugged charm. It brings sagebrush as far as the eyes can see, dramatic canyons, and miles upon miles of near-desert landscape. Locals have adapted to the dryness with clever rain barrels and borehole setups. And since the state is big on farming, water shortages have become a growing issue as farming demands rise.
6. Utah (15.79 inches)
If you’ve ever visited Utah’s iconic national parks, you’ll have a good idea of how arid this state can get. Averaging about 15.79 inches of rain each year, Utah welcomes most of its rain during late spring and early summer. And, boy, is this rain welcome!
But weeks can go by without a single drop gracing the ground in the hot summer months. Its dry climate is largely thanks to the high-altitude desert terrain — a classic example of a mountain rain shadow and hot, dry air pushing through from the south.
Sudden flash floors and strong winds are a major reason for the many canyons and arches carved into the landscape.
These dry landscapes might be pleasing to the eye, but they are a stark reminder of how precious water is in the desert. They are even considering building a desalinization plant to turn the Great Salt Lake into potable water.
5. Montana (14.92 inches)
Montana might be the land of the ‘big sky,’ but when it comes to rainfall, surprisingly little falls from this big sky. About 14.92 inches, to be exact. Most of Montana’s rain falls on the mountains, especially the western peaks from Glacier Park to Yellowstone Park.
Meanwhile, the eastern plains are barely damp. In mid-to-late summer, you could go weeks without a drop of rainfall. The lack of rain makes for some stunning landscapes—windswept grasslands and neverending prairies come to mind.
People who live around here rely on groundwater wells, and some households install rainwater tanks to save every drop of moisture. Farmers and businesses that need water for daily operations face massive challenges during dry periods. Just ask any local farmer, and they’ll tell you about drip irrigation and dry farming techniques.
4. New Mexico (14.24 inches)
New Mexico has earned its reputation for low rainfall. Averaging only 14.24 inches each year, most of its rain falls during the brief but oh-so-intense monsoon season around late summer.
Outside of this, dry spells can last months, particularly in winter around Central New Mexico and the Chihuahuan Desert. This dryness is partly due to the state’s placement in the rain shadow of the Rocky Mountains and its mix of desert and semi-arid climates. All in all, there is more sun than shade around here.
The dryness creates otherworldly landscapes, from huge deserts to jagged rock formations and dry riverbeds. Locals have adapted well, often using xeriscaping, a technique for reducing the need for water with water-wise plants.
3. Wyoming (13.23 inches)
Wyoming gets a measly 13.23 inches of rain each year. Most of it (which isn’t a lot in the first place) falls in late spring and early summer. By August, things are dry, leaving most of the state’s iconic sagebrush landscapes looking a little worse for wear.
Located pretty high up on the map, Wyoming sits in a huge rain shadow cast by the Rockies and is characterized by high-altitude plains and mountain ranges. You can really see it in the landscape — a harsh expanse of shrubs and rugged grasses.
A drop of water might as well be worth its weight in gold here. Every drop counts, especially in the agricultural and ranching communities that rely on careful water management. Unfortunately, droughts have historically had a massive impact on Wyoming’s ranch industry.
2. Arizona (11.80 inches)
When I think of Arizona, my mind jumps straight to the blazing dry heat and massive deserts – and for good reason. The state averages just 11.80 inches of rainfall each year, most of which falls around the late summer monsoon season. The rest of the year, much of the state sees little to no rainfall. Especially around the southern parts like the Sonoran Desert.
Cacti rule the landscape here. Along with clear skies and otherworldly rocky formations, this makes for one of the country’s most astoundingly unique geographies.
About half of the state is semi-arid desert, one-third is arid, and the rest is humid. While the Basin and Range region might have a subtropical climate, the rest of the state has seen its fair share of water scarcity. Thank goodness for the Colorado River, which runs around the state’s border.
1. Nevada (9.46 inches)
And the title of the driest state in the U.S. goes to… Nevada! With an annual rainfall of just 9.46 inches, this place is about as dry as it gets. It’s particularly dry in the southern desert regions around the Desert National Wildlife Range and Las Vegas.
A bit of rain falls in winter and early spring around the Sierra Nevada and Mount Rose Ski Area, but it is sparse. The state’s terrain is mostly arid desert or mountainous, with the Sierra Nevada range pretty much raising the rainfall average all on its own.
The state relies on the Colorado River and Lake Mead as primary water sources. However, declining water levels do spark concern. To be safe, locals have started taking matters into their own hands. Conscious landscaping, rain collection tanks, and drip irrigation systems are common around here.
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