Rainfall rates have been rising since 1970. – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
In the skies over Wichita, Kansas, storms now deliver rain at a pace 38% fiercer than five decades ago. This shift reflects a broader pattern across the United States, where hourly rainfall intensity has climbed in nearly 90% of major cities examined. Data from weather stations reveal how these intensifying bursts challenge urban infrastructure and heighten flood threats nationwide.[1][2]
A Consistent National Upward Trend
Researchers analyzed hourly precipitation records from 144 weather stations in key U.S. cities spanning 1970 to 2024. Of these, 126 locations – or 88% – registered higher average hourly rainfall intensity compared to the early 1970s baseline. The metric, known as the simple hourly rainfall intensity index, divides total annual rainfall by the number of rainy hours to gauge downpour strength.[1]
Across those 126 sites, rates averaged 15% stronger by recent years. Even updated tallies through 2025 showed 129 cities, or 90%, following suit. This held true regardless of whether a city typically saw abundant rain or sparse totals, underscoring a uniform atmospheric shift.[3][2]
Hotspots Lead the Surge in Intensity
Every one of the nine U.S. climate regions posted gains, though some outpaced others markedly. The Upper Midwest led with an 18% average rise, trailed by the Northern Rockies and Plains at 16%, and the Ohio Valley at 15%. These areas now contend with rain falling harder and faster during storms.[1]…