I thought it could be a good idea to start such a topic. 

I'm in SE USA.  We have rain, like much of the rest of the east coast.  I've been hunting for varieties that DO NOT split open (explode) if we see some rain just before or during ripening of the fruit. 

I'm going to come back and update this list as I see them explode, but for now, I have a few to list - if you live on the east coast (Herman, Dom, Dennis, etc.), please feel free to add list of varieties that split during east coast rains.

* Salem Dark
* Sal's Corleone
* Deleon
* Black Mission (a local variety - I've heard there are some that don't split)

Here's a picture of a split Salem Dark, in case anyone needs a reference to what splitting looks like (must be logged in to see picture):

Not for nothing ...but  if you never saw a fig before, and had no idea that this "thing' could be eaten, you would try to kill it before it spreads...or, bury it!  Fig interiors are  visually, unappealing...almost lurid.  Said with tongue-in-cheek, but, true in my book.  : ))))

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My list would be longer if you asked what DID NOT split. LOL  It's been a dry summer but here are the ones that split, even slightly.

Split-

LSU Gold-after 2 days of rain- got watery as well

Brunswick- (Actually received as an Italian Unk but fits with fruit and leaves)-this was a little rain but High Humidity for a couple of days

Hollier- Doesn't seem to lose it taste though- almost seems to get extra ripe here to have a good taste.

FYI-Sal's Corleone has NEVER split for me- actually none claiming Sicilian roots.

Note: I am probably 40 to 50 miles north of the Atlantic.

Frank, this picture definitely reminds me of the giant man-eating flower from Little Shop of Horrors, or maybe even the Piranha Plant from the Super Mario Bros video game.  It is a bit freaky.

I've got splits to add to the list: Beer's Black and Rick's Calabria. It's been really wet here.

When figs split from too much moisture, is it because of the moisture they take in through their roots, or the moisture that hits the fruits themselves, or both?

I live where humidity is low, and rain is rare in summer/early fall. All my figs are currently in containers. Do I have to be careful about how I water to not split the fruits?

Gina, I think it seems to be more commonly that it's from the moisture sucked up by the roots. 

Dom, I got my Sal C from a very well-known and reliable source, and it has split pretty consistently.  Dennis (snaglpus) and 71GTO both have had similar experience, and Dennis' weather was roughly the same the last couple of weeks, here's his result on Sal C:  http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Near-Atlanta-Anyone-looking-for-Sals-Corleone-6009087

Isn't this really a matter of which figs have thick skins?

I've had splitting of SC only with very heavy or prolonged rain. Also Brooklyn white and LSU Gold. Last year everything split. We had record rainfall punctuated by Hurricane Irene.

Maybe I'm lucky or just haven't put it through the ringer.  I have 2 Sal's C. from 2 reliable sources.  I also have Sicilian Red and Weeping black. Not the breba or main have split or tasted spoiled on any yet in 2 years.

Maybe I just hit the weather right.

Jason,

Gonna be a loooong list. Individual results may vary. Basically, anything with an open eye is at risk. Include Black Madeira, Petite Aubique, Vista and Atreano.

Then I'm a lucky dude! LOL PN and Atreano are awesome for me.

Exactly, Dominick. And I am nowhere near a rainy area. Mostly drought in these parts.

Only splitter for me this season has been Lyndhurst White maincrop.
Big, beautiful fig that opened right up in the rain , not ripe enough to enjoy.

In My place,last year and this year most cultivars,even the best selection,aether splitter,or soured without splitting,or both.
I am not going to name cultivars because it is mostly in my climate because it is bad,so i do not want to make people not try some cultivars that might just be wonderful tasting in their climate ,without any souring or splitting,and later be called a  lair.
Because I am convince ,my climate is one of the worse and fig fruits can take so much rain heat and humidity combined after that most will sour and split.
It seem that the first part of Summer main crop get damaged here,for the early cultivars that ripe in August and beginning of September,after that ,good fruits can be had,from this very early cultivars.
The Middle and late varieties,ripe in better climatic conditions,so less spoilage and better quality fruits can be had.
These damages have occurred especially in the last 2 years,but very little before,so I can say the climate was changing in worse,due to climate change and it could be the case in the future.

I have no problem with those fig that are splitingthey are good for making jams, but I do not like the ones that spoil before they mature.

So far this year Sicilian red sal corleone Brooklyn white few unknowns have swelled up huge split or opened up a huge eye. They never change color from a light green and even if I leave them and they don't seem to ripen. What's crazy is I have an in Ground Brunswick type and I have not lost a fig on that tree, but I don't really care for them...

I found a mature Petite Nigra this year and the ground below it was covered in figs. Those on the tree split and were tasteless.

Due to whatever reason (not excessive rain) Panache, Black Madeira, Adam, Orourke, BT, Conadria, and Nardine will split. Nardine has a very, very hard time NOT splitting.

Have never seen Vista split, or Kadota, White Kadota, Galbun, Fico Santo, Negronne, Celeste, Encanto, Hardy Chicago, Portland 1, Danny's Delite, LSU Purple, White Greek, Encanto Brown Turkey.

Seldom, if ever on Black Weeping, St Jerome, GM-1,

Here you go, Jon.

few figs in my VdB in container split this past few months. not too many of them, but just enough for me to remember they blew up.

Paradiso Gene won't split, but it will just grow big and big until the eye is big enough to put your finger into it.

Vista split and sour here in the worst climates periods,Fico Santo,,Negronne,Celeste,Hardy Chicago,White Greek,-------and Encanto Brown Turkey drops figs here,and sour,and splits.
From Jon List,Kadota seem to be indeed split and sour resistant,but will not ripe correctly here.with some inedible fruits ,woody inside,as part of crop.
I will add as much souring and splitting,Megaceleste.
We should have a tread ,about figs that do not sour and split under worst conditions,I bet that ,after all said and done very few cultivars will be indeed found ,that they do not split or sour ,in rainy hot,humid climate.
But those that do ,resist will make us very happy on the east coast and south east of US.
"

I wonder if the differences in splitting people experience for given varieties could in part be due to whether they are grown in containers vs. in-ground.  You might expect containers to drain faster after a rain - just a thought.

This year started out to be a good year for my area, but turned bad a few weeks a go with rain, rain, and more rain.  Now we are having Autum temperatures, low 80s at day and  50/60s at night.  In the past 2 years, this did not happen!  I remember last year picking LSU Black figs and making jam in late September, but not this year.  You gotta love mother nature!  Here's a list of my figs that split and soured.

Petite Negra
Sal's Corleone
Weeping
Madeleine Des Deux Saisons
Brooklyn White
Conadria
Brunswick
Violete de Bordeaux
Vista
Monstreuese
Latturulla
Black Maderia
Texas Everbearing
Panachee
Mission
White Greek
Negronne
Celeste
Improved Celeste
LSU Gold
LSU Black aka Scott's Black
LSU Hollier