Can you run a generator in the rain?
Not unprotected. A wet generator can shock or electrocute you, and some manufacturers say not to run theirs in rain or snow at all. The CPSC's advice, if you must run one in wet weather, is an open, canopy-like cover over a dry surface, outside and well away from the house. Moving it into the garage trades a shock risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Published , by Alex Rowan
Review pending. This page hasn’t been checked by a licensed electrician yet. Until it is, treat your owner’s manual and the sources at the end as the final word.
Start with your owner’s manual
Manufacturers don’t all say the same thing, and your manual is the rule for your model. Honda is one of the strictest. Its EU2200i manual says “Do not use in wet conditions. Keep the generator dry,” then lists:
- Do not use in the rain or snow.
- Do not use near pool or a sprinkler system.
- Do not use when your hands are wet.
The CPSC’s December 2025 storm advice points the same way: follow the manufacturer’s guidance on shock risk in bad weather, which may mean waiting for the rain or snow to pass. Ready.gov says to keep the generator dry and protected from rain and flooding.
If your manual forbids running in rain, a cover doesn’t change that. Wait it out, or use a battery power station for the essentials in the meantime.
If you have to run it while it’s wet outside
The CPSC’s portable generator safety alert gives these steps for wet weather:
- Protect the generator from moisture, but don’t run it indoors or near any opening into a building where people could be.
- Put it under an open, canopy-like structure.
- Set it on a dry surface where water can’t reach it, puddle under it or drain beneath it.
- Dry your hands before you touch it.
“Open” matters. A cover with sides can trap exhaust, and one set against the house puts the exhaust next to windows and doors. Keep the generator at least 20 feet from the house with the exhaust pointed away, as you would on a dry day. The carbon monoxide guide explains why.
Generator tents and covers
Some companies sell covers or tents built to stay on a running generator. Before you buy one, check that your generator’s manufacturer allows running with a cover, and that the cover leaves the exhaust, the air intake and the outlets clear. Don’t build an enclosure out of a tarp, a box or a shed. The CPSC lists sheds among the places a generator must never run.
Cords and connections in wet weather
The CPSC’s advice on cords applies in any weather and matters more in the rain:
- Use heavy-duty extension cords made for outdoor use, rated above the total wattage of everything plugged into them.
- Check the full length of each cord for cuts or tears, and make sure the plug has all three prongs.
- Use cords long enough to keep the generator far from windows, doors and vents.
- Keep cords from being pinched or crushed where they pass through a window or doorway.
Never plug the generator into a wall or dryer outlet to power the house. That’s backfeeding, and it can electrocute utility workers; see the backfeeding guide.
After the generator has been out in the weather
Honda’s manuals say that if a generator is stored outdoors without protection from the weather, you should check the electrical components on the control panel before each use, including the GFCI outlets on models that have them. Moisture or ice can cause a malfunction or short circuit that could electrocute you.
A battery for the wet hours
A power station has no engine and no exhaust, so it can run indoors during a storm. It can keep a refrigerator, a CPAP or a sump pump going until the rain stops and the generator can go back outside. The runtime calculator shows how long a given battery lasts with what you need.