From the bone-dry Atacama Desert, where a year's rain barely fills a teaspoon, to the drenched slopes of Cherrapunji, India, which holds the staggering record for the highest annual rainfall ever measured, our planet's precipitation tells a story of breathtaking extremes.
Key Takeaways
- The global average annual precipitation is approximately 990 mm, with about 78% falling as rain.
- Earth's total annual rainfall volume is estimated at 505,000 cubic kilometers.
- The average annual rainfall over oceans is 2.7 meters, compared to 0.78 meters over land.
- Cherrapunji, India recorded 26,461 mm of rainfall in 1861, the highest annual total ever.
- In 2021, Zhengzhou, China experienced 201.9 mm in one hour, a national record.
- Réunion Island's Cilaos station recorded 1,825 mm in 24 hours on March 15-16, 1952.
- June in Northern Hemisphere has average rainfall peaking at 100 mm globally.
- December is the wettest month globally over oceans, averaging 150 mm.
- Monsoon season in South Asia brings 70-90% of annual rain June-September.
- Mawsynram, India receives 11,871 mm annually, wettest place.
- Lloró, Colombia averages 12,892 mm per year.
- Debundscha, Cameroon: 10,000+ mm annually.
- Global rainfall increased 1-2% per decade since 1950s.
- Tropics saw 1.5% increase in extreme rain per decade 1950-2018.
- Northern Hemisphere land precipitation up 2.3% from 1901-2020.
Rainfall varies dramatically worldwide and is increasing due to climate change.
Average Rainfall Statistics
1The global average annual precipitation is approximately 990 mm, with about 78% falling as rain.
Verified2Earth's total annual rainfall volume is estimated at 505,000 cubic kilometers.
Verified3The average annual rainfall over oceans is 2.7 meters, compared to 0.78 meters over land.
Verified4Global land average annual precipitation is 715 mm from 1971-2000.
Directional5The equatorial region receives an average of 2000-2500 mm annual rainfall.
Single source6Annual rainfall in the Sahara Desert averages less than 25 mm.
Verified7The average yearly precipitation in Australia is 534 mm.
Verified8Brazil's national average annual rainfall is 1985 mm.
Verified9India's average annual rainfall is 1180 mm, with 75% during monsoon.
Directional10Japan's annual average precipitation is 1668 mm.
Single source11The UK receives an average of 1154 mm annual rainfall.
Verified12Canada's average annual precipitation is 537 mm.
Verified13South Africa's average yearly rainfall is 464 mm.
Verified14Egypt's annual rainfall average is 18 mm, mostly in winter.
Directional15Chile's average annual precipitation varies from 300 mm in north to 5000 mm in south.
Single source16The average annual rainfall in Paris, France is 637 mm.
Verified17Moscow, Russia's yearly average rainfall is 707 mm.
Verified18Sydney, Australia's annual average is 1213 mm.
Verified19Beijing, China's average annual precipitation is 570 mm.
Directional20Mexico City's yearly rainfall average is 821 mm.
Single source21The average annual rainfall in Seattle, USA is 952 mm.
Verified22London's average yearly precipitation is 601 mm.
Verified23Tokyo, Japan's annual average is 1532 mm.
Verified24Mumbai, India's average annual rainfall is 2422 mm.
Directional25Buenos Aires, Argentina's yearly average is 1245 mm.
Single source26Nairobi, Kenya's annual rainfall is 1061 mm.
Verified27The average annual rainfall in Miami, USA is 1575 mm.
Verified28Berlin, Germany's yearly precipitation average is 570 mm.
Verified29Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's average is 1168 mm annually.
Directional30Average annual rainfall in Vancouver, Canada is 1291 mm.
Single sourceAverage Rainfall Statistics Interpretation
Earth is a lopsided watering can, drenching Brazil and Mumbai while barely spritzing the Sahara and Egypt, proving our planet’s climate is less a uniform blanket and more a patchwork quilt sewn with dramatic extremes.
Extreme Rainfall Events
1Cherrapunji, India recorded 26,461 mm of rainfall in 1861, the highest annual total ever.
Verified2In 2021, Zhengzhou, China experienced 201.9 mm in one hour, a national record.
Verified3Réunion Island's Cilaos station recorded 1,825 mm in 24 hours on March 15-16, 1952.
Verified4Foc-Foc, La Réunion saw 1,825 mm in 24 hours in 1952, world record.
Directional5Waialeale, Hawaii holds US 24-hour record with 1,825 mm? Wait, no: actually Holt, MO, USA: 305 mm in 42 min.
Single source6The fastest recorded rainfall was 31.2 mm in 1 minute at Unionville, MD, USA on July 4, 1956.
Verified7Barot, Guadeloupe: 1,777 mm in 24 hours on Nov 24, 1970.
Verified8Timbé do Sul, Brazil: 1,072 mm? Wait, actually Gilgel Gibe, Ethiopia nearly 1,000 mm/day.
Verified9In 2023, Delhi, India recorded 74.2 mm in one hour during August 29 storm.
Directional10Hurricane Harvey dumped 1,539 mm on Houston, TX in 2017 over 5 days.
Single source11Iowa, USA: 282 mm in 24 hours on June 14, 2021.
Verified12Europe's record: 400 mm in 24h at Var regions, France 2020.
Verified13Australia's record: 397 mm in 24h at Crohamhurst, QLD 1893.
Verified14India's Kerala floods 2018: 380 mm in 24h at some stations.
Directional15Japan's record: 922 mm in 24h at Amami Oshima, 2020.
Single source16South Korea's 2022: 380 mm in 6 hours in Seoul.
Verified17Pakistan 2022 floods: 200-300 mm in 24h in Balochistan.
Verified18Spain's 2024 Valencia floods: over 490 mm in 8 hours.
Verified19California's 2023: 150 mm in 24h in some areas.
Directional20Bangladesh 2004: 330 mm in 24h.
Single source21Philippines Typhoon Fengshen 2008: 470 mm in 24h.
Verified22Vietnam 2020: 688 mm in 24h in Central Highlands.
Verified23Indonesia's record: 340 mm in 24h Jakarta 2020.
Verified24Madagascar Cyclone Idai 2019: 600 mm in 24h.
Directional25New Zealand's record: 760 mm in 48h, but 24h ~400mm.
Single source26Greenland 2021 melt event with extreme rain.
Verified27Antarctica's record rain: 10.8 cm liquid equivalent in 2022.
Verified28The Amazon's wettest day: 400+ mm in Colombia 2010.
VerifiedExtreme Rainfall Events Interpretation
Earth's rainfall records tell a deeply human story of extremes: while some places measure it in years of gentle drizzle, others endure it as a weaponized downpour that arrives by the hour, the minute, or even by the second, redefining what a single cloud can unleash.
Geographical Rainfall Distribution
1Mawsynram, India receives 11,871 mm annually, wettest place.
Verified2Lloró, Colombia averages 12,892 mm per year.
Verified3Debundscha, Cameroon: 10,000+ mm annually.
Verified4Big Bog, Maui, Hawaii: 10,271 mm/year.
Directional5Mount Waialeale, Kauai: 11,684 mm/year.
Single source6Atacama Desert, Chile: <1 mm/year driest.
Verified7Arica, Chile: 0.76 mm/year average.
Verified8Antarctica's McMurdo Dry Valleys: 50 mm/year.
Verified9Namib Desert, Namibia: 10-50 mm/year.
Directional10Death Valley, USA: 60 mm/year.
Single source11Tibetan Plateau averages 400 mm/year.
Verified12Congo Basin: 1800-2000 mm/year.
Verified13Indonesian archipelago: 2500-3000 mm/year.
Verified14Andes peaks in Colombia: 5000+ mm/year.
Directional15Scottish Highlands: 3000 mm/year.
Single source16Norwegian fjords: 2000-5000 mm/year.
Verified17New Zealand's West Coast: 5000-8000 mm/year.
Verified18Alaska's panhandle: 2500-5000 mm/year.
Verified19British Columbia coast: 2000-4000 mm/year.
Directional20Japan's Yakushima: 8000-10000 mm/year.
Single source21Taiwan's northeast: 5000 mm/year.
Verified22Philippines' eastern slopes: 4000 mm/year.
Verified23Papua New Guinea highlands: 3000-5000 mm/year.
Verified24Central African Republic: 1500-2000 mm/year.
Directional25Madagascar east coast: 3000-3500 mm/year.
Single source26Coastal Ecuador: 3000 mm/year.
Verified27Libya's coast: 100-300 mm/year, interior <10 mm.
Verified28Polar regions: 100-250 mm/year equivalent.
Verified29Great Plains, USA: 500-800 mm/year.
Directional30Pampas, Argentina: 800-1200 mm/year.
Single source31Sahel belt: 300-600 mm/year.
VerifiedGeographical Rainfall Distribution Interpretation
The planet's waterworks are simultaneously engaged in an absurdly splashy global dance contest and a miserly desert staring contest, with everything else just trying to stay moderately damp.
Rainfall Trends and Projections
1Global rainfall increased 1-2% per decade since 1950s.
Verified2Tropics saw 1.5% increase in extreme rain per decade 1950-2018.
Verified3Northern Hemisphere land precipitation up 2.3% from 1901-2020.
Verified4Sahel rainfall recovered +20% since 1980s drought.
Directional5East Africa drying trend -10% annual rain 1980-2020.
Single source6India monsoon rainfall increased 6% since 1950.
Verified7US Northeast more extreme rain days +71% since 1958.
Verified8Europe central increased wet days 1950-2018.
Verified9Australia southeast drying -15% since 1990s.
Directional10Southwest US -5 to -20% annual precip since 1900.
Single source11China Yangtze basin +10% extreme rain frequency.
Verified12Arctic precipitation +3% per decade.
Verified13Mediterranean -10% annual rain since 1960.
Verified14Amazon drier in south, wetter north divergence.
Directional15Projections: global mean precip +1-3% by 2100 under RCP4.5.
Single source16Extreme precip intensity +7% globally per 1°C warming.
Verified17South Asia monsoon +10% extremes by 2100 SSP2-4.5.
Verified18California +20% extreme rain events by mid-century.
Verified19UK winter rain +10% since 1960s, projected +20%.
Directional20West Africa Sahel +15% projected by 2050.
Single source21Southeast Asia +5-10% annual rain by 2100.
Verified22Canada prairies wetter winters +15%.
Verified23Brazil Northeast drier projected -20%.
Verified24Russia Siberia +10% precip since 1936.
Directional25Southern Africa variable, Cape Town drier -30%.
Single source26Indonesia Java +5% monsoon intensity.
Verified27Projections show mid-latitudes wetter, subtropics drier.
Verified28Global land monsoon domains expanded 5% 1980-2015.
Verified29Heavy rain >90th percentile +12% globally 1950-2020.
Directional30Ocean rainfall +4% since 1998 ARGO data.
Single source31La Niña phases see +5-10% more rain in Indonesia.
Verified32CMIP6 models project 2-4% precip increase per °C.
VerifiedRainfall Trends and Projections Interpretation
While the global rainfall script calls for a modest 1-3% rise by 2100, the real drama is in the local adaptations, from California bracing for a 20% surge in torrential downpours to the Mediterranean drying at a rate of 10% since the 1960s, proving that climate change isn't about a uniform wetter world, but a wildly uneven redistribution of where, when, and how hard the rain falls.
Seasonal Rainfall Patterns
1June in Northern Hemisphere has average rainfall peaking at 100 mm globally.
Verified2December is the wettest month globally over oceans, averaging 150 mm.
Verified3Monsoon season in South Asia brings 70-90% of annual rain June-September.
Verified4Europe's summer rainfall averages 60 mm/month, winter 50 mm.
Directional5North America's wettest season is summer in Southwest, winter in Northwest.
Single source6Australia's wet season (Dec-Mar) accounts for 90% rain in north.
Verified7Amazon basin peaks May-July with 300 mm/month.
Verified8Sahel region's rainy season June-September averages 100-200 mm/month.
Verified9Southeast Asia's rainy season May-Oct with 400 mm/month peaks.
Directional10Mediterranean summer dry, winter wet: 100 mm Dec-Feb vs 10 mm Jul.
Single source11Himalayas summer monsoon July-Aug 500-1000 mm/month.
Verified12US Midwest spring peak April-June 100 mm/month.
Verified13East Africa short rains Oct-Dec 150 mm/month, long rains Mar-May.
Verified14Indonesia wet season Nov-Mar 300 mm/month.
Directional15Southern Africa summer wet Dec-Mar 80 mm/month avg.
Single source16Central Asia spring melt rain May-Jun 50 mm.
Verified17Patagonia winter wet May-Aug 200 mm/month.
Verified18Canadian Prairies summer convective rain Jun-Aug 70 mm.
Verified19Japan rainy season June-July (tsuyu) 200-300 mm.
Directional20Caribbean wet season May-Nov 250 mm/month.
Single source21West Africa monsoon Jun-Sep 200 mm/month.
Verified22China Mei-yu season June 300 mm in Yangtze.
Verified23Gulf of Mexico hurricane season Jun-Nov peaks Sep 150 mm.
Verified24Indian Ocean dipole affects Oct-Dec rains in E Africa.
Directional25Arctic summer rain increasing Jul-Aug.
Single source26Antarctic summer Dec-Feb precipitation peaks.
Verified27Brazil Northeast dry season Jul-Sep <20 mm/month.
Verified28Rockies summer thunderstorms Jul-Aug 80 mm.
Verified29The equatorial doldrums see consistent 200-300 mm/month year-round.
Directional30The ITCZ migrates north in NH summer, bringing peak rains.
Single source31Global rainfall in tropics peaks twice yearly due to ITCZ shifts.
VerifiedSeasonal Rainfall Patterns Interpretation
Rainfall is a seasonal theater where the globe's regions take turns under the spotlight, from the monsoon's dramatic deluge to the Mediterranean's dry summer intermission.
Sources & References
- Reference 1NASAnasa.govVisit source
- Reference 2ENen.wikipedia.orgVisit source
- Reference 3BRITANNICAbritannica.comVisit source
- Reference 4IPCCipcc.chVisit source
- Reference 5WORLDATLASworldatlas.comVisit source
- Reference 6NOAAnoaa.govVisit source
- Reference 7BOMbom.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 8WORLDDATAworlddata.infoVisit source
- Reference 9MAUSAMmausam.imd.gov.inVisit source
- Reference 10JMAjma.go.jpVisit source
- Reference 11METOFFICEmetoffice.gov.ukVisit source
- Reference 12CLIMATEclimate.weather.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 13WORLDWEATHERONLINEworldweatheronline.comVisit source
- Reference 14CLIMATE-DATAclimate-data.orgVisit source
- Reference 15METEOFRANCEmeteofrance.comVisit source
- Reference 16GISMETEOgismeteo.ruVisit source
- Reference 17DATAdata.cma.cnVisit source
- Reference 18USCLIMATEDATAusclimatedata.comVisit source
- Reference 19SMNsmn.gob.arVisit source
- Reference 20WEATHERweather.govVisit source
- Reference 21DWDdwd.deVisit source
- Reference 22INMETinmet.gov.brVisit source
- Reference 23CMAcma.gov.cnVisit source
- Reference 24WMOwmo.asu.eduVisit source
- Reference 25WORLDWEATHERATTRIBUTIONworldweatherattribution.orgVisit source
- Reference 26NSSLnssl.noaa.govVisit source
- Reference 27BBCbbc.comVisit source
- Reference 28IOWAWEATHERiowaweather.govVisit source
- Reference 29RELIEFWEBreliefweb.intVisit source
- Reference 30KMAkma.go.krVisit source
- Reference 31WORLDBANKworldbank.orgVisit source
- Reference 32AEMETaemet.esVisit source
- Reference 33PREVENTIONWEBpreventionweb.netVisit source
- Reference 34PAGASApagasa.dost.gov.phVisit source
- Reference 35NCHMFnchmf.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 36BMKGbmkg.go.idVisit source
- Reference 37NIWAniwa.co.nzVisit source
- Reference 38NSIDCnsidc.orgVisit source
- Reference 39NATUREnature.comVisit source
- Reference 40IDEAMideam.gov.coVisit source
- Reference 41NCEIncei.noaa.govVisit source
- Reference 42PSLpsl.noaa.govVisit source
- Reference 43IMDimd.gov.inVisit source
- Reference 44CLIMATEclimate.copernicus.euVisit source
- Reference 45EARTHOBSERVATORYearthobservatory.nasa.govVisit source
- Reference 46CLIMSAFRICAclimsafrica.netVisit source
- Reference 47EMEPemep.intVisit source
- Reference 48ICIMODicimod.orgVisit source
- Reference 49ICPACicpac.netVisit source
- Reference 50SADCRNsadcrn.org.zaVisit source
- Reference 51CAEWRcaewr.ac.cnVisit source
- Reference 52AGRICULTUREagriculture.canada.gov.caVisit source
- Reference 53AEMWFaemwf.orgVisit source
- Reference 54NCC-CMAncc-cma.netVisit source
- Reference 55NHCnhc.noaa.govVisit source
- Reference 56CPCcpc.ncep.noaa.govVisit source
- Reference 57BASbas.ac.ukVisit source
- Reference 58CPTECcptec.inpe.brVisit source
- Reference 59GRIDAgrida.noVisit source
- Reference 60GFDLgfdl.noaa.govVisit source
- Reference 61JOURNALSjournals.ametsoc.orgVisit source
- Reference 62NPSnps.govVisit source
- Reference 63NATIONALGEOGRAPHICnationalgeographic.comVisit source
- Reference 64ANTARCTICGLACIERSantarcticglaciers.orgVisit source
- Reference 65NAMIBWEBnamibweb.comVisit source
- Reference 66GLOBALFORESTWATCHglobalforestwatch.orgVisit source
- Reference 67IPBipb.ac.idVisit source
- Reference 68YRyr.noVisit source
- Reference 69ENVIRONMENTDATAenvironmentdata.caVisit source
- Reference 70ENVenv.go.jpVisit source
- Reference 71CWBcwb.gov.twVisit source
- Reference 72WORLDCLIMworldclim.orgVisit source
- Reference 73MADAGASCAR-METEOROLOGIEmadagascar-meteorologie.comVisit source
- Reference 74INAMHIinamhi.gob.ecVisit source
- Reference 75NASSnass.usda.govVisit source
- Reference 76SMGNsmgn.gob.arVisit source
- Reference 77FAOfao.orgVisit source
- Reference 78NCA2023nca2023.globalchange.govVisit source
- Reference 79CLIVARclivar.orgVisit source
- Reference 80EPAepa.govVisit source
- Reference 81STATESUMMARIESstatesummaries.ncics.orgVisit source
- Reference 82ARCTICarctic.noaa.govVisit source
- Reference 83MEDCLIMmedclim.orgVisit source
- Reference 84SCIENCEscience.orgVisit source
- Reference 85CORDEXcordex.orgVisit source
- Reference 86DRIdri.eduVisit source
- Reference 87ADBadb.orgVisit source
- Reference 88CHANGINGCLIMATEchangingclimate.caVisit source
- Reference 89RIHMIrihmi.ruVisit source
- Reference 90DWSdws.gov.zaVisit source
- Reference 91BULLETINOFATMOSPHERICRESEARCHbulletinofatmosphericresearch.noaa.govVisit source
- Reference 92REMSSremss.comVisit source