Wettest Places on Earth: Full List of the Top 10 Rainiest Places in the World

As the rain is the essential for life on the earth and there are some parts on Earth receive so much rainfall that it shapes the every aspect of daily life. From cloud-covered mountain villages to the tropical rainforests and volcanic islands these regions experience the some of the highest precipitation levels recorded anywhere on the planet.

The secret behind their extreme rainfall lies in the its particular geography, ocean currents and a phenomenon known as the orographic lift where the moisture-laden winds are forced upward by the mountains and it resulted in continuous rainfall.

Let’s explore the world’s rainiest places and understand why they receive the such extraordinary amounts of rain.

Why Do Some Places Receive The Extremely High Rainfall?

The primary reason behind the extreme rainfall is a geographical process called the orographic rainfall or orographic lift.

In this phenomenon, when the moisture-rich winds from oceans encounter mountain ranges they are forced to rise.

As the air rises, it cools and it condenses into clouds and leading to heavy precipitation.

The regions which are located the near oceans and it is surrounded by the mountains are therefore more likely to experience the intense rainfall throughout the year.

Climate change is also influencing the rainfall patterns globally and making some traditionally wet regions drier while the increasing precipitation in other and drier areas.

Full List of the Top 10 Rainiest Places in the World

Break-down of Wettest Places in the World

1. Mawsynram The Wettest Place on The Earth

Mawsynram holds the title of the wettest place on Earth with the average annual rainfall of nearly to the 11,872 mm.

It is located in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya ad its name means “Abode of Clouds.”

The village sits in the unique geographical position where the moisture-laden monsoon winds from the Bay of Bengal are funneled into the Khasi Hills.

The steep mountain slopes force the clouds upward which resulting in to the continuous rainfall throughout the monsoon season.

This natural funnel effect has helped the Mawsynram maintain the its position as the rainiest location on the planet.

2. Cherrapunji The Former Rain Champion

Just a short distance from the Mawsynram lies Cherrapunji which is also known as Sohra.

For the many years, Cherrapunji was recognized as the wettest place on Earth. It still holds the world record for the highest rainfall ever recorded in the single year which is around 26,471 mm in 1861.

Although it receives the enormous amounts of rain during the monsoon season, Cherrapunji faces the water shortages during the dry months because rainwater rapidly drains through the region’s limestone formations.

3. South America’s Rainfall Giant Tutunendo

Tutunendo ranks third in the the world’s wettest places list.

It is located in the Colombia’s tropical Chocó region and the Tutunendo experiences the heavy rainfall throughout the year rather than during any  specific season.

Warm Pacific air, dense rainforest conditions and the nearby Andes Mountains creates the environment where moisture continuously condenses into rainfall.

4. Cropp River New Zealand’s Hotspots

Cropp River is one of the wettest places in the Southern Hemisphere.

It is situated near to the New Zealand’s Southern Alps and this area receives the massive amounts of moisture from storms originating over the Tasman Sea.

The mountain barriers forces the moisture-rich air upward which producing heavy and frequent rainfall throughout the year.

Africa’s Wettest Locations

5. San Antonio de Ureca, Equatorial Guinea

San Antonio de Ureca is the wettest location in the Africa.

It is located on Bioko Island and this area receives the intense rainfall due to Atlantic Ocean winds colliding with the volcanic mountain slopes.

6. Debundscha, Cameroon

Debundscha lies at the foot of the Mount Cameroon that is one of the Africa’s largest volcanoes.

The mountain acts as the natural barrier, forcing moisture-laden Atlantic winds to rise and to produce the exceptionally heavy rainfall.

Hawaii: Home to the Multiple Rainfall Records

The Hawaiian Islands contains the several of the world’s rainiest locations because of their volcanic landscapes and exposure to the Pacific trade winds.

7. Big Bog

Big Bog is the remote peat bog that continuously captures the moisture from Pacific winds.

8. Mount Waialeale

Mount Waialeale is one of the wettest mountains on the Earth. The seep crater walls of mountain helps to trap clouds and rainfall.

9. Kukui

Kukui has recorded the some of the most intense monthly rainfall totals ever observed in the United States.

10. Emei Shan China’s Misty Mountain

Emei Shan also featured ine list of the world’s top ten wettest places.

It is known as China’s one of thesacred Buddhist mountains, Emei Shan remains covered in the clouds and mist for much of the year.

Moist air masses also rising along its slopes generate frequent rainfall and dense fog.

The Science Behind Extreme Rainfall

Several factors contributed to these extraordinary rainfall levels.

• Orographic Lift
• Proximity to Oceans
• Tropical Climate
• Monsoon Systems

Together, these factors creates the ideal conditions for continuous rainfall.