Addis Ababa Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The figures are based on a 30-year period (1990–2020) to provide a reliable average. Let's now guide you through the details for a complete overview.
Addis Ababa has a notably wet climate with abundant precipitation, recording 1801 mm (71 in) of rainfall per year. It does, however, have a distinct dry and rainy season during certain months. Have a look at our detailed charts below to see how precipitation varies throughout the year.
Monthly Precipitation Levels
The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))
Significant seasonal changes in precipitation occur throughout the year. During the wettest month, August receives substantial rainfall, averaging 398 mm (16 in) of precipitation, recorded across 13 rainy days.
In contrast, the driest month, December brings less rainfall, with 7.6 mm (0.3 in) over 3 rainy days.
August, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 21°C (70°F). The city receives 130 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month December you can expect a temperature of 24°C (75°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Addis Ababa Temperature page.
Daily Historical Precipitation
44-year average (1977-2025)
Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.
Average precipitation in July
Explore Addis Ababa's Historical Precipitation: 1976-2026
Browse day-by-day precipitation records for Addis Ababa spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual rainfall and snowfall recorded on each day.
Annual Rainfall in Ethiopia: City Comparison
The map below shows the annual precipitation across Ethiopia. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
heavy rainfall
high
moderate
low
almost none
Addis Ababa vs World: Rainfall Compared
Addis Ababa's average annual precipitation is 1801 mm (71 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:
In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual precipitation is 644 mm (25 in), evenly distributed across the year with no extreme wet or dry seasons.
Osaka, Japan, experiences 1507 mm (59 in) of rainfall annually, spread across the year with wetter summers.
In Brisbane, Australia, the annual precipitation is 979 mm (39 in), making it wetter than Sydney.
Singapore, situated near the equator, gets 2581 mm (102 in) of rainfall annually, with no distinct dry season and consistent monthly precipitation.
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.
- The U.S. has a significant number of thunderstorms every year, with over 14.6 million taking place across the world annually.
- Approximately 70% of lightning bolts strike land rather than oceans.
- A storm named John was the longest-lasting Pacific tropical storm, continuing for 31 days. As it crossed the dateline twice, it changed status from a hurricane to a typhoon and back to a hurricane.
For more detailed information about Addis Ababa's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Addis Ababa Climate page.
