Atacama Desert Rainfall & Precipitation: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Atacama Desert, Antofagasta Region, Chile. The figures are based on a 30-year period (1990–2020) to provide a reliable average. Let’s explore the details to provide you with a complete overview.
Atacama Desert has a dry climate with very low precipitation, averaging 31 mm of rain/snowfall annually.
Monthly Precipitation Levels
The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm)
Precipitation levels in Atacama Desert remain relatively steady throughout the year. March has the most rain, with 5.6 mm over 7 days. In November, this drops slightly to 0.1 mm, making the city's climate fairly predictable.
March, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 25°C. During the driest month November you can expect a temperature of 25°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Atacama Desert Temperature page.
Annual Precipitation in Chile
The map below shows the annual precipitation across Chile. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
heavy rainfall
high
moderate
low
almost none
Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide
Atacama Desert’s average annual precipitation is 31 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:
In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual precipitation is 620 mm, evenly distributed across the year with no extreme wet or dry seasons.
Beijing, China, receives 560 mm of annual precipitation, concentrated in the summer months.
Perth, Australia, receives 565 mm of rainfall annually, mostly during the winter months.
Bangkok, Thailand, experiences a tropical monsoon climate with 1668 mm of annual rainfall, with the heaviest precipitation occurring during September and October.
How is Precipitation Measured?
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.
Interesting weather facts
- "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 wide and 20 cm 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 fell during the winter of 1972.
For more detailed information about Atacama Desert’s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Atacama Desert Climate page.
Current rainfall in Atacama Desert
