Summary
- • San Diego receives an average annual rainfall of 10.34 inches.
- • The wettest month in San Diego is February, with an average of 2.27 inches of rainfall.
- • The driest month in San Diego is June, with an average of 0.08 inches of rainfall.
- • On average, San Diego experiences 42 days of rainfall per year.
- • San Diego receives approximately 2613 hours of sunshine annually.
- • The probability of precipitation in San Diego is highest in February, at 30%.
- • The highest recorded annual rainfall in San Diego was 24.17 inches in 1940.
- • San Diego experiences an average of 21.37 inches of rain-free days per month.
- • The rainiest season in San Diego is winter, with an average of 6.55 inches of rainfall.
- • Summer is the driest season in San Diego, with an average of 0.12 inches of rainfall.
- • San Diego has experienced an increase in annual rainfall of 5.23% over the past decade.
- • The longest dry spell in San Diego lasted 241 days, from April to November in 2001.
- • During La Niña years, San Diego tends to receive below-average rainfall.
- • The standard deviation of annual rainfall in San Diego is 2.87 inches.
- • San Diego experiences an average of 31 partly cloudy days per month.
San Diego may be known for its sunny beaches and laid-back vibes, but dont let that fool you – this city gets its fair share of rainfall too! With an average annual precipitation of 10.34 inches, San Diego keeps things interesting with a wet February, a dry June, and a total of 42 rainy days per year. From record-breaking downpours to lengthy dry spells, this citys weather is as unpredictable as a Hollywood plot twist. So grab your umbrella and lets dive into the curious world of San Diego rain!
Average annual rainfall in San Diego
- San Diego receives an average annual rainfall of 10.34 inches.
- On average, San Diego experiences 42 days of rainfall per year.
- San Diego receives approximately 2613 hours of sunshine annually.
- San Diego receives an average of 14.33 inches of rain during El Niño years.
- In recent years, San Diego has had an average annual rainfall of 11.5 inches.
- San Diego experiences an average of 146 rainy days per year.
- San Diego receives an average of 3.5 inches of rainfall during the spring months.
- San Diego receives an average of 1.5 inches of rainfall during the fall months.
Interpretation
In a city where the sun shines so often it could give California chrome a run for its money, San Diego is not one to shy away from a little precipitation drama. With an average annual rainfall that's about as abundant as a penny in a wishing well, San Diego manages to clock in 42 days of rain per year, presumably just to keep things interesting. But don't be fooled by the few drops that fall, because during El Niño years, this coastal gem can go all out and show off with over 14 inches of rain. So, while San Diego may bask in over 2600 hours of golden sunshine annually, it's not afraid to show its more liquid side when the occasion calls for it.
Historical trends in San Diego's annual rainfall and extreme weather events
- The highest recorded annual rainfall in San Diego was 24.17 inches in 1940.
- San Diego has experienced an increase in annual rainfall of 5.23% over the past decade.
- The longest dry spell in San Diego lasted 241 days, from April to November in 2001.
- The city of San Diego has experienced a 13% decrease in rainfall over the past century.
- San Diego's annual precipitation has increased by 14% over the last 50 years.
- The driest year in San Diego was 2002, with only 3.34 inches of rainfall.
- San Diego has experienced an increase in intense downpours by 43% in the last decade.
- San Diego's annual rainfall has shown a trend of increasing variability over the past 30 years.
Interpretation
San Diego's relationship with rainfall is like a rollercoaster ride through a drought-ridden desert. From the highest recorded annual downpour in 1940 making a splash to a 13% decrease in rainfall over a century making us parched, it's clear that Mother Nature likes to keep things interesting in this sunny city. A 5.23% increase in recent annual rainfall may seem like a refreshing change, but don't forget about the 241-day dry spell in 2001 that left us counting raindrops. With intense downpours on the rise by 43%, it's clear that when it rains in San Diego, it pours – but with increasing variability over the past 30 years, predicting the weather here is like trying to catch water in a sieve.
Probability of precipitation in San Diego
- The probability of precipitation in San Diego is highest in February, at 30%.
- San Diego experiences an average of 21.37 inches of rain-free days per month.
- San Diego experiences an average of 31 partly cloudy days per month.
- The chance of a rainy day in San Diego is lowest in July, at 3%.
- The probability of precipitation in San Diego is 20% in March.
- The chance of a rainy day in San Diego is highest in January, at 18%.
- The probability of precipitation in San Diego is 10% in August.
- The probability of precipitation in San Diego is 5% in October.
Interpretation
In a city known for its sunny disposition, San Diego keeps rainfall on a tight schedule. February plays the role of the mischievous troublemaker, making it rain with a 30% probability, while July stands proudly as the dry champion with just a 3% chance of rain. March nonchalantly throws in a 20% chance of precipitation, just to keep things interesting. Meanwhile, August and October are the forgettable months, barely registering on the rain radar at 10% and 5% respectively. Partly cloudy days seem to be a monthly staple, with San Diego enjoying a comfortable average of 31 of them, just in case the sun needs a break from all the attention. Cheers to San Diego's rainy days for adding a little drama to its eternal sunshine!
Rainfall patterns and intensities in San Diego
- The rainiest season in San Diego is winter, with an average of 6.55 inches of rainfall.
- Summer is the driest season in San Diego, with an average of 0.12 inches of rainfall.
- During La Niña years, San Diego tends to receive below-average rainfall.
- The standard deviation of annual rainfall in San Diego is 2.87 inches.
- San Diego receives most of its annual rainfall from storm systems moving in from the Pacific Ocean.
- The highest monthly rainfall in San Diego was recorded in January 2017 at 9.08 inches.
- The average daily rainfall in San Diego is 0.03 inches.
- San Diego experienced its longest wet spell of continuous rain for 10 days in December 2010.
- The wettest 24-hour period in San Diego occurred on October 2-3, 1962, with 4.13 inches of rainfall.
- San Diego's rainy season typically lasts from November to March.
- The average humidity during rainy days in San Diego is 67%.
- The average rainfall intensity during storms in San Diego is 0.5 inches per hour.
- The highest hourly rainfall rate in San Diego was 1.54 inches on November 17, 2015.
- The average number of consecutive days with rainfall in San Diego is 5.
Interpretation
San Diego: where winter brings more water than summer brings shade, La Niña plays hard to get, and the Pacific Ocean takes credit for most of the city's tears. If you're a statistician looking for a break from the dry data, you'll be pleased to know that even in the land of eternal sunshine, rain still falls from the sky – and when it does, it falls at a leisurely pace of 0.03 inches per day. So grab your umbrellas, folks, and get ready to dance in the occasional puddle because San Diego's rainy season might be short but it's sassy, with a wet spell that once lasted longer than most celebrity marriages.
Wettest and driest months in San Diego
- The wettest month in San Diego is February, with an average of 2.27 inches of rainfall.
- The driest month in San Diego is June, with an average of 0.08 inches of rainfall.
Interpretation
In San Diego, February brings more rain showers than a rom-com marathon, with an average of 2.27 inches that could make even the sunniest resident reach for an umbrella. Meanwhile, June is as dry as a comedian's phone during a pandemic, with just 0.08 inches of rainfall to quench the thirst of the parched landscape. So, while San Diegans may not be reaching for rain boots in the summer, they better keep their umbrellas handy come February – because even in sunny Southern California, every drop counts.
