Arica Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Arica, Arica y Parinacota, Chile. This average is based on long-term data collected between 1990 and 2020. Let's explore the details to provide you with a complete overview.

Arica tends toward drier weather patterns, receiving approximately 301 mm (12 in) of rain per year. The city experiences a distinct dry season during certain months, contributing to seasonal contrasts shown in the charts below.

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, June receives substantial rainfall, averaging 46 mm (1.8 in) of precipitation, recorded across a single rainy day.

In contrast, the driest month, December brings less rainfall, with 11 mm (0.4 in) over 3 rainy days.

June, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 21°C (70°F). The city receives 132 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month December you can expect a temperature of 25°C (77°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Arica Temperature page.

Arica's average annual precipitation is 301 mm (12 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual precipitation is 620 mm (24 in), evenly distributed across the year with no extreme wet or dry seasons.

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

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

Mumbai, India, experiences a tropical monsoon climate with 1860 mm (73 in) of annual rainfall, with the majority of precipitation happening during the monsoon season from June to September.

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.

Precipitation has a very strong role in determining the local climate and ecosystem:

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