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

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in Riyadh. The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average. Let's now guide you through the details for a complete overview.

Riyadh experiences desert-like conditions in terms of precipitation with almost no rainfall, generally receiving 73 mm annually.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

Riyadh can be quite wet during April, receiving approximately 16 mm of precipitation over 7 rainy days.

In contrast July, experiences much drier conditions, with 0 mm of rainfall, spread across 0 rainy days.

April, the city’s wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 34°C. During the driest month July you can expect a temperature of 45°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Riyadh Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in Saudi Arabia

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

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

Riyadh’s average annual precipitation is 73 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

Chicago, USA, sees an annual precipitation of 1062 mm, with rain and snow contributing to its humid climate.

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

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

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