Apia Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Apia, Upolu, Samoa. The numbers reflect climate data gathered over a 30-year period, from 1990 to 2020. Let's explore the details to provide you with a complete overview.

Apia has a relatively rainy climate with high precipitation levels, averaging 3009 mm (118 in) of rainfall annually.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

The climate in Apia shows significant variation throughout the year. Expect 369 mm (15 in) of precipitation during the wettest month January, distributed over 16 rainy days.

In contrast, August offers drier and sunnier days, with around 139 mm (5.5 in) of rainfall over 18 rainy days.

January, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 29°C (84°F). The city receives 151 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month August you can expect a temperature of 28°C (82°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Apia Temperature page.

Apia's average annual precipitation is 3009 mm (118 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

In Lisbon, Portugal, the average annual precipitation is 774 mm (30 in), characterized by wet winters and dry summers typical of the Mediterranean climate.

Meanwhile, Buenos Aires, Argentina, enjoys a humid subtropical climate with 1000 mm (39 in) of annual rainfall, mostly in the summer.

In Tokyo, Japan, the average annual precipitation is 1528 mm (60 in), with significant summer rains due to typhoon season.

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 Apia:

• 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 Apia's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Apia Climate page.