Cape Town Rainfall & Precipitation: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in Cape Town. The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average. Let’s explore the details in depth to provide you with a complete overview.

Generally, Cape Town receives mid-range precipitation levels, with 686 mm annually.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

Cape Town can be quite wet during June, receiving approximately 126 mm of precipitation over 13 rainy days.

In contrast February, experiences much drier conditions, with 19 mm of rainfall, spread across 4 rainy days.

June, the city’s wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 18°C. During the driest month February you can expect a temperature of 25°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Cape Town Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in South Africa

The map below shows the annual precipitation across South Africa. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

Cape Town’s average annual precipitation is 686 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

Boston, USA, experiences 1238 mm of annual precipitation, including significant snowfall during the winter.

Beijing, China, receives 560 mm of annual precipitation, concentrated in the summer months.

Adelaide, Australia, enjoys 511 mm of annual precipitation, with dry summers and wet winters.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, receives 2529 mm of annual rainfall, characteristic of its equatorial tropical rainforest climate, with consistent rainfall throughout the year and peak months during March and November.

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.

Global Precipitation Patterns

Tropical Rainforests: In tropical regions, rainfall is generally abundant year-round. Areas near the equator, like the Amazon rainforest, can receive up to 3000 mm of rain annually.

Desert Regions: Deserts such as the Sahara and Arabian deserts typically see less than 250 mm of rainfall annually. Rainfall tends to be infrequent, but when it does occur, it is often intense.

Temperate Zones: In temperate regions, precipitation tends to be more evenly distributed, though areas closer to the ocean may see more rain in the winter months, and areas further inland experience drier summers.

Polar Regions: Precipitation in polar regions, like Antarctica, is extremely low, often falling as snow. Average annual precipitation in Antarctica is less than 200 mm, with some areas receiving as little as 50 mm annually.

For more detailed information about Cape Town’s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Cape Town Climate page.