7 US Counties Already Reporting Historic Rainfall This Summer
https://climate-crisis-247-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/07211332/2150164-150x150.jpgPrecipitation levels are a critical and defining feature of any ecosystem. Rain and snow fall can help replenish essential freshwater sources, regulate air temperature, and sustain plant and animal life. When precipitation levels are below normal for a prolonged period, drought conditions can ensue, threatening water quality, agricultural output, commerce, and a region’s ecological health. Currently, moderate drought conditions are impacting 31.4% of land area nationwide, including 17.4% of the country reporting severe drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
But just as a prolonged period of too little rainfall in a given area can be detrimental, too much rainfall can also have serious consequences. In many parts of the country, high-levels of precipitation can lead to destructive and life-threatening floods and landslides. In agricultural areas, excessive rainfall can result in crop failure, by washing away or saturating soil, making it difficult for plants to absorb oxygen and critical nutrients.
Despite ongoing drought conditions in much of the country, rainfall totals were higher than normal in much of the United States last month. According to the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration, the Lower 48 states reported an average rain accumulation of 3.2 inches throughout June 2025, exceeding the 2.9 inch baseline average for the month, recorded between 1901 and 2000. Most notably, over half a dozen U.S. counties reported record breaking, or near-record breaking levels of rainfall in June 2025.
Using data from NOAA, Climate Crisis 247 identified the U.S. counties where precipitation levels hit historic highs in June 2025. We reviewed total rainfall accumulation in June 2025 for over 3,100 counties and county equivalents, and identified those for which last month’s precipitation totals were either the most or second most in at least the last 131 years. All supplemental precipitation data is from NOAA, and population data are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey. Counties are listed in ascending order, based on their total rainfall in June 2025.
The counties on this list span four states – Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma – and are collectively home to more than 5.1 million Americans. In each of these places, total rainfall was more than double the baseline regional average.
7. La Paz County, Arizona
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 0.22 inches (most of any June on record)
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 0.04 inches
- Total precipitation in June 2025 compared to baseline: +0.18 inches
- County population: 16,605
6. Maricopa County, Arizona
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 0.32 inches (second most of any June on record)
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 0.08 inches
- Total precipitation in June 2025 compared to baseline: +0.24 inches
- County population: 4,491,987
5. Kingman County, Kansas
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 9.28 inches (second most of any June on record)
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 4.01 inches
- Total precipitation in June 2025 compared to baseline: +5.27 inches
- County population: 7,284
4. Howard County, Nebraska
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 9.99 inches (second most of any June on record)
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 4.05 inches
- Total precipitation in June 2025 compared to baseline: +5.94 inches
- County population: 6,492
3. Sedgwick County, Kansas
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 11.08 inches (most of any June on record)
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 4.50 inches
- Total precipitation in June 2025 compared to baseline: +6.58 inches
- County population: 524,810
2. Nowata County, Oklahoma
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 13.08 inches (second most of any June on record)
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 5.05 inches
- Total precipitation in June 2025 compared to baseline: +8.03 inches
- County population: 9,392
1. Washington County, Oklahoma
- Total rainfall in county, June 2025: 13.59 inches (most of any June on record)
- Average June rainfall in county, 1901-2000: 4.74 inches
- Total precipitation in June 2025 compared to baseline: +8.85 inches
- County population: 52,895
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