Glasgow Rainfall & Precipitation: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in Glasgow. 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.

Glasgow experiences significant rain/snowfall throughout the year, averaging 1372 mm of precipitation annually.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

Precipitation levels in Glasgow remain relatively steady throughout the year. January has the most rain, with 141 mm over 21 days. In May, this drops slightly to 88 mm, making the city's climate fairly predictable.

January, the city’s wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 8°C and receives 37 hours of sunshine. During the driest month May you can expect a temperature of 15°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Glasgow Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in Scotland

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

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

Glasgow’s average annual precipitation is 1372 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual precipitation is 644 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.

In Tokyo, Japan, the average annual precipitation is 1528 mm, with significant summer rains due to typhoon season.

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.

Interesting weather facts

• Mawsynram in India is noted as being the wettest place on earth, with over 11 meters of rain falling every year.
• In contrast, Antofagasta in Chile is among the driest places on the planet, getting less than 0.1mm per year, with some years recording virtually no rainfall.
• Nearly 1,650 thunderstorm cells are estimated over the planet at any given time.

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