Port-au-Prince Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Long-term data from 1990 to 2020 was used to calculate these averages. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.

Port-au-Prince is known for its substantial rainfall, with annual precipitation reaching 1431 mm (56 in). While the overall climate is wet, there are notable seasonal patterns that create interesting contrasts, as demonstrated in our graph below.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

The climate in Port-au-Prince shows significant variation throughout the year. Expect 214 mm (8.4 in) of precipitation during the wettest month May, distributed over 12 rainy days.

In contrast, January offers drier and sunnier days, with around 25 mm (1 in) of rainfall over 11 rainy days.

May, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 29°C (84°F). The city receives 251 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month January you can expect a temperature of 28°C (82°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Port-au-Prince Temperature page.

Port-au-Prince's average annual precipitation is 1431 mm (56 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

The climate in San Francisco, USA, is influenced by coastal weather, with 469 mm (18 in) of rainfall mostly during the winter months.

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

Melbourne, Australia, has 690 mm (27 in) of rainfall annually, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

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.

The proximity of a location to a large body of water can significantly affect its rainfall patterns:

• Ocean Influence: Coastal regions typically receive more rainfall due to the presence of moisture-laden winds from the ocean. These regions tend to have more humid climates and experience more frequent precipitation, especially in winter.
• Continental Climates: Areas further from the sea, such as inland or continental regions, experience less frequent rainfall and more extreme seasonal variations in precipitation.

• 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 Port-au-Prince's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Port-au-Prince Climate page.