Big Sur (CA) Rainfall & Precipitation: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in Big Sur (CA). The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average. Now, let’s explore all the details to give you a full picture.

Generally, Big Sur has a moderate amount of precipitation, averaging 753 mm of rainfall annually.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

The seasons in Big Sur, bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, January, receives high rainfall, with an average of 149 mm of precipitation.

This rainfall is distributed across 9 rainy days. In contrast, the driest month, August, experiences much less rainfall, totaling 0 mm over 0 rainy days. These distinct seasonal differences provide diverse experiences throughout the year.

January, the city’s wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 15°C. During the driest month August you can expect a temperature of 23°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Big Sur Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in the United States of America

The map below shows the annual precipitation across the United States of America. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

Big Sur’s average annual precipitation is 753 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

Athens, Greece, receives an average annual precipitation of 400 mm, making it one of the drier Mediterranean climates with rainfall mostly in winter.

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

Perth, Australia, receives 565 mm of rainfall annually, mostly during the winter months.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, receives 1955 mm of annual rainfall, with a pronounced wet season from May to November, typical of its tropical monsoon climate.

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

• 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 Big Sur (CA)’s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Big Sur (CA) Climate page.