Driest States in the US 2026

Total Precipitation (in)

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State	Total Precipitation 2024 (in)↓	Avg Annual Precipitation 1971-2000	Avg Annual Precipitation (mm) - 1971-2000
Louisiana	71.21	60.10	1,528
Mississippi	58.57	59.00	1,499
Rhode Island	56.76	47.90	1,218
Florida	56.75	54.50	1,385
Alabama	56.33	58.30	1,480
Georgia	56.30	50.70	1,287
Arkansas	54.77	50.60	1,284
Hawaii	53.55	63.70	1,618
Tennessee	53.16	54.20	1,376
North Carolina	53.07	50.30	1,279
South Carolina	52.86	49.80	1,264
Connecticut	52.13	50.30	1,279
Kentucky	51.65	48.90	1,242
Massachusetts	48.03	47.70	1,211
Vermont	46.40	42.70	1,085
New Hampshire	45.79	43.40	1,103
Virginia	45.42	44.30	1,125
Pennsylvania	44.80	42.90	1,089
New York	44.20	41.80	1,062
Missouri	43.86	42.20	1,071
Indiana	42.86	41.70	1,060
Maine	42.82	42.20	1,072
New Jersey	42.49	47.10	1,196
Washington	42.24	38.40	976
West Virginia	42.03	45.20	1,147
Illinois	40.70	39.20	996
Maryland	39.44	44.50	1,131
Ohio	37.86	39.10	993
Alaska	37.64	22.50	572
Delaware	37.16	45.70	1,160
Iowa	37.01	34.00	864
Wisconsin	36.95	32.60	829
Oregon	36.49	27.40	695
Oklahoma	36.40	36.50	927
Michigan	34.55	32.80	833
Minnesota	29.58	27.30	693
Texas	29.41	28.90	734
Kansas	27.42	28.90	733
California	26.08	22.20	563
Nebraska	22.41	23.60	599
Idaho	22.31	18.90	481
Colorado	19.23	15.90	405
South Dakota	18.98	20.10	511
North Dakota	18.44	17.80	452
Montana	17.09	15.30	390
Wyoming	13.30	12.90	328
New Mexico	12.75	14.60	370
Utah	12.71	12.20	310
Arizona	9.82	13.60	345
Nevada	9.46	9.50	241

Many of the states in the western United States are well known for their dry weather, low humidity, and extreme temperatures. Looking at the average amount of rainfall per year, these are the five driest states in the country.

Nevada

Nevada is considered among the driest states in America because of its location as a land-locked state. Data collected since 1938 shows that Las Vegas receives an average of fewer than 4.2 inches of rain per year while the state as a whole receives about 9.56 inches per year.

The climate of Nevada is very dry, with intense heat over the summer. It also has mountains that will block the moisture from the ocean, preventing cross breezes that are found in coastal areas. The moisture here is just not easy to come by, making Nevada among the driest states in the country.

New Mexico

New Mexico similarly features a wide range of climates. Deserts, plains, and mountains can all be found within the state. Also like Arizona, the majority of New Mexico’s precipitation occurs in higher elevations. While mountains receive about 40 inches of rain, the flat lands get only eight to ten inches. Overall, the state receives an average of 12.38 inches of rain per year.

Arizona

It might be shocking to some that Arizona is only the third driest state. Arizona is infamous for its dry spells and desert climate. However, the elevation in Arizona varies. Yearly precipitation totals range from three inches to over 40 inches. Those higher rainfall totals are located in the state’s mountains. Overall, Arizona totals 12.61 inches of rainfall per year, less than one inch per month.

Utah

Utah is known for its beautiful skiing, and that may make some believe that it can be a cooler state year-round, but this is just not the case. Utah’s skiing comes from the mountains, an area that is not rich in moisture. This is a state where the annual rainfall is only approximately 13.57 inches per year. Utah is a very dry state with an extremely hot summer and just as extremely cold temperatures in the winter. Unlike winters in the eastern United States, where the coasts bring in cold temperatures and humidity off of the water, Utah has a dry cold. The dry cold in Utah is infamous.

Montana

As the only northern state in the top five, Montana may surprise some as a dry state. However, Montana receives an average only 14.39 inches of precipitation annually.