New York City (NY) Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in New York City, New York State, United States of America. The numbers reflect climate data gathered over a 30-year period, from 1990 to 2020. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.

New York City has a notably wet climate with abundant precipitation, recording 1276 mm (50 in) of rain/snowfall per year.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))

The amount of precipitation varies moderately throughout the year. The wettest month, June, sees around 138 mm (5.4 in) of rainfall, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of rain now and then. The driest month, November, still receives a respectable 73 mm (2.9 in) of rainfall.

June, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 27°C (81°F). The city receives 259 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month November you can expect a temperature of 13°C (55°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our New York City Temperature page.

New York City's average annual precipitation is 1276 mm (50 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

Seville, Spain, experiences 541 mm (21 in) of rainfall annually, with wet winters and dry summers typical of southern Spain.

Beijing, China, receives 560 mm (22 in) of annual precipitation, concentrated in the summer months.

Melbourne, Australia, has 690 mm (27 in) of rainfall annually, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

Bangkok, Thailand, experiences a tropical monsoon climate with 1668 mm (66 in) of annual rainfall, with the heaviest precipitation occurring during September and October.

Precipitation amounts are measured using specific gauges installed at weather stations, collecting both rain and snow and any other type of precipitation. Rainfall is measured directly in millimeters, while that from snow and ice is obtained by melting it. Automated systems often incorporate heaters to make this easier.

Information from these stations is transmitted via Wi-Fi, satellite, GPS, or telephone connections to central monitoring networks. This information is immediately updated and integrated into weather models and forecasts.

Climate change is affecting precipitation patterns worldwide, including New York City (NY):

• Changing Rainfall Patterns: Global warming causes drastic changes in the patterns of rainfall. Some areas have been experiencing increased frequency and intensity of rainfall, while other areas experience longer dry spells or even droughts.
• Local Impacts: Many regions are experiencing heavier rainfall in the winter months and drier, hotter summers. This affects agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems.

• "Ginger" was the longest-lasting Atlantic tropical storm, which spun around the open ocean for 28 days in 1971.
• The world's largest snowflake was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, at 38 cm (15 inches) wide and 20 cm (7.9 inches) thick. The snowflake fell at Fort Keogh, Montana, USA, on 28 January 1887.
• The greatest snowfall recorded was on Mt. Rainier, Washington State, USA, over 31.5 meters (103 feet) fell during the winter of 1972.

For more detailed information about New York City (NY)'s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our New York City (NY) Climate page.