Cardiff Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. The numbers reflect climate data gathered over a 30-year period, from 1990 to 2020. Now, let's break down all the details for a clearer picture.
Cardiff experiences significant rainfall throughout the year, averaging 1138 mm (45 in) of precipitation annually.
Monthly Precipitation Levels
The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))
Despite minor fluctuations, Cardiff enjoys fairly consistent precipitation throughout the year. In December, you can expect around 119 mm (4.7 in) of precipitation, while in March, Cardiff receives about 76 mm (3 in).
December, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 10°C (50°F). The city receives 49 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month March you can expect a temperature of 11°C (52°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Cardiff Temperature page.
Daily Historical Precipitation
50-year average (1976-2025)
Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.
Average precipitation in May
Explore Cardiff's Historical Precipitation: 1976-2026
Browse day-by-day precipitation records for Cardiff spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual rainfall and snowfall recorded on each day.
Annual Rainfall in the United Kingdom: City Comparison
The map below shows the annual precipitation across the United Kingdom. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
heavy rainfall
high
moderate
low
almost none
Cardiff vs World: Rainfall Compared
Cardiff's average annual precipitation is 1138 mm (45 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:
Seville, Spain, experiences 541 mm (21 in) of rainfall annually, with wet winters and dry summers typical of southern Spain.
In Seoul, South Korea, the average annual precipitation is 1237 mm (49 in), with most rain falling during the summer monsoon season.
In Tokyo, Japan, the average annual precipitation is 1528 mm (60 in), with significant summer rains due to typhoon season.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, receives 2529 mm (100 in) of annual rainfall, characteristic of its equatorial tropical rainforest climate, with consistent rainfall throughout the year and peak months during March and November.
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.
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 (118 in) of rain annually.
Desert Regions: Deserts such as the Sahara and Arabian deserts typically see less than 250 mm (9.8 in) 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 (7.9 in), with some areas receiving as little as 50 mm (2 in) annually.
- "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 Cardiff's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Cardiff Climate page.
