States with the Driest Climates

The 10 driest states in the country get no more than 20 inches of rain or snow a year. The state that tops the list is Nevada, which only receives about 9.5 inches of precipitation every year. Wyoming and Montana also rank high on the list. California only receives about a quarter of an inch of rain in the summer months. In the winter months, North and South Dakota are the driest in the country, and in the spring, Arizona and New Mexico are the driest.

While some of the driest states receive little precipitation all year, some flip-flop. For example, Washington State is the sixth driest state during the summer months, but in the winter, it is the fifth wettest.

Colorado, Oregon, Minnesota and Idaho round out the list of the driest states in the country.

Effects of Dry Weather
With little precipitation, the air becomes excessively dry. Dry air has a low relative humidity and a low dew point, which can cause several adverse effects. Some of the effects of dry air include:

Dry skin
Chapped lips
Dehydration
Increased illness
Dry, irritated eyes
Development of mold and mildew
Increased respiratory infections

Combating Dry Air
If you live in an area that is prone to dry air, you don’t have to suffer. There are some simple fixes that can combat the dry air, thus improving your health and your comfort. Some of the most effective fixes for dry air in the house include:

  • Installation of a whole house fan. Typically located in the attic, these fans draw the hot, dry air in your home up into the attic and replace that air with cooler, moister air from the outdoors. As a result, your home will be cooler and there will be more moisture in the air, which will improve your comfort levels and reduce the negative effects of dry air.
  • Installation of a mini-split system. These systems are a hybrid of central air and a window unit. A condenser unit sits outside of the home. This unit connects to an evaporator that is mounted high on a wall or on the ceiling through a conduit. These units add moisture to the air and cool it off, making your home healthier and more comfortable.

If you live in an arid climate, you don’t have to suffer from the uncomfortable conditions that it causes. By installing one of these units, your home will be much more comfortable and you’ll be able to combat the impact of dry air.