Guatemala City Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Guatemala City, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. The numbers reflect climate data gathered over a 30-year period, from 1990 to 2020. Let's explore the details to provide you with a complete overview.
Guatemala City has a relatively rainy climate with high precipitation levels, averaging 1417 mm (56 in) of rainfall annually. Despite the high annual total, it does experience a distinct dry and rainy season during certain months. Examine our detailed charts below to understand these seasonal patterns.
Monthly Precipitation Levels
The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))
Significant seasonal changes in precipitation occur throughout the year. During the wettest month, June receives substantial rainfall, averaging 279 mm (11 in) of precipitation, recorded across 26 rainy days.
In contrast, the driest month, January brings less rainfall, with 7.8 mm (0.3 in) over 9 rainy days.
June, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 27°C (81°F). The city receives 156 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month January you can expect a temperature of 26°C (79°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Guatemala City Temperature page.
Explore Guatemala City's Historical Precipitation: 1976-2026
Browse day-by-day precipitation records for Guatemala City spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual rainfall and snowfall recorded on each day.
Annual Rainfall in Guatemala: City Comparison
The map below shows the annual precipitation across Guatemala. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
heavy rainfall
high
moderate
low
almost none
Guatemala City vs World: Rainfall Compared
Guatemala City's average annual precipitation is 1417 mm (56 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:
In Toronto, Canada, annual precipitation averages 964 mm (38 in), with snowy winters and rainy summers.
Beijing, China, receives 560 mm (22 in) of annual precipitation, concentrated in the summer months.
Melbourne, Australia, has 690 mm (27 in) of rainfall annually, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.
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.
- 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 Guatemala City's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Guatemala City Climate page.
