(RNN) - Harvey set a new record for rainfall produced by a tropical cyclone in the continental U.S. on Tuesday.
According to the National Weather Service, a rain gauge in Cedar Bayou, Texas, recorded 51.88 inches of rain from Aug. 25 to Tuesday at 5 p.m. EDT. That reading broke the 1978 record of 48 inches set by Tropical Storm Amelia in Medina, Texas.
For reference, 50 inches of rain would be about 650 inches of snow.
The rainfall record for the entire U.S. is 52 inches. It was recorded in 1950 during Hurricane Hiki in Hawaii. It is possible that Harvey, which is still producing a deluge over Houston, could break that record.
Harvey isn't finished raining. This rainfall forecast shows how the storm will produce heavy rain throughout the Southeast.
Texas has a history of record-breaking storms. Six of the 10 wettest tropical cyclones in the contiguous U.S. have been in the Lone Star State.
Top 10 wettest tropical cyclones in contiguous U.S.
| Rank | Precipitation | Storm | Location and Year |
| 1 | 49.32 inches | Harvey | Mary's Creek at Winding Road, Texas, 2017 |
| 2 | 48 inches | Amelia | Medina, Texas, 1978 |
| 3 | 45.20 inches | Easy | Yankeetown, Florida, 1950 |
| 4 | 45 inches | Claudette | Alvin, Texas, 1979 |
| 5 | 40.68 inches | Allison | Northwest Jefferson County, Texas, 2001 |
| 6 | 38.46 inches | Georges | Munson, Florida, 1998 |
| 7 | 36.71 inches | Danny | Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Alabama, 1997 |
| 8 | 29.76 inches | Unnamed | Port Lavaca, Texas, 1960 |
| 9 | 27.85 inches | Alberto | Americus, Georgia, 1994 |
| 10 | 27.38 inches | Beulah | Pettus, Texas, 1967 |
Harvey also broke the single-day record for rainfall in Houston on Sunday, unloading 16.07 inches of rain at George Bush Airport.
Because of the unprecedented rainfall, August 2017 is the wettest month in Houston's history. In less than a week, more rainfall has accumulated in Houston than it typically gets during a year.
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