Kabul Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Kabul, Afghanistan. This average is based on long-term data collected between 1990 and 2020. Let's now guide you through the details for a complete overview.

With annual rain/snowfall averaging 474 mm (19 in), Kabul maintains relatively low precipitation levels throughout the seasons. However, it does have a distinct dry season during certain months, creating distinct patterns as demonstrated in our detailed graph below.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))

The seasons in Kabul, bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, April, receives moderate rainfall, with an average of 90 mm (3.5 in) of precipitation. This rainfall is distributed across 11 rainy days.

April, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 17°C (63°F). The city receives 233 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month August you can expect a temperature of 30°C (86°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Kabul Temperature page.

Kabul's average annual precipitation is 474 mm (19 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

New York City, USA, receives 1276 mm (50 in) of rainfall annually, with precipitation evenly distributed throughout the year.

In Shanghai, China, the annual average precipitation is 1347 mm (53 in), with a humid subtropical climate.

Adelaide, Australia, enjoys 511 mm (20 in) of annual precipitation, with dry summers and wet winters.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, receives 1955 mm (77 in) of annual rainfall, with a pronounced wet season from May to November, typical of its tropical monsoon climate.

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.

Precipitation has a very strong role in determining the local climate and ecosystem:

• Changing Rainfall Patterns: Global warming causes drastic changes in the patterns of rainfall. Some areas have been experiencing increased frequency and intensity of rainfall, while other areas experience longer dry spells or even droughts.
• Local Impacts: Many regions are experiencing heavier rainfall in the winter months and drier, hotter summers. This affects agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems.

• Mawsynram in India is noted as being the wettest place on earth, with over 11 meters (36 feet) of rain falling every year.
• In contrast, Antofagasta in Chile is among the driest places on the planet, getting less than 0.1mm (0.004 inches) 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 Kabul's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Kabul Climate page.