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

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in Kigali. The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average. Now, let’s break down all the details for a clearer picture.

Kigali experiences significant rainfall throughout the year, averaging 1007 mm of precipitation annually.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

The seasons in Kigali, bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, April, receives high rainfall, with an average of 149 mm of precipitation.

This rainfall is distributed across 23 rainy days. In contrast, the driest month, July, experiences much less rainfall, totaling 5.2 mm over 5 rainy days. These distinct seasonal differences provide diverse experiences throughout the year.

April, the city’s wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 26°C. During the driest month July you can expect a temperature of 27°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Kigali Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in Rwanda

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

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

Kigali’s average annual precipitation is 1007 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.

Osaka, Japan, experiences 1507 mm of rainfall annually, spread across the year with wetter summers.

In Brisbane, Australia, the annual precipitation is 979 mm, making it wetter than Sydney.

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 Kigali’s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Kigali Climate page.