Los Angeles (CA) Rainfall & Precipitation: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in Los Angeles (CA). The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average. Now, let’s explore all the details to give you a full picture.

Los Angeles has a dry climate with very low precipitation, averaging 235 mm of rainfall annually.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

The climate in Los Angeles shows significant variation throughout the year. Expect 61 mm of precipitation during the wettest month December, distributed over 8 rainy days.

In contrast, August offers drier and sunnier days, with around 0.1 mm of rainfall over 0 rainy days.

December, the city’s wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 18°C and receives 220 hours of sunshine. During the driest month August you can expect a temperature of 24°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Los Angeles Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in the United States of America

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

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

Los Angeles’s average annual precipitation is 235 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

In Lisbon, Portugal, the average annual precipitation is 774 mm, characterized by wet winters and dry summers typical of the Mediterranean climate.

Meanwhile, Buenos Aires, Argentina, enjoys a humid subtropical climate with 1000 mm of annual rainfall, mostly in the summer.

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

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

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

• "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 wide and 20 cm 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 fell during the winter of 1972.

For more detailed information about Los Angeles (CA)’s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Los Angeles (CA) Climate page.