Salar de Uyuni Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia. These averages rely on historical data collected over 30 years, from 1990 to 2020. Let's now guide you through the details for a complete overview.

With annual rain/snowfall averaging 272 mm (11 in), Salar de Uyuni 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 climate in Salar de Uyuni shows significant variation throughout the year. Expect 91 mm (3.6 in) of precipitation during the wettest month January, distributed over 14 rainy days.

In contrast, May offers drier and sunnier days, with around 1 mm (0.04 in) of rainfall over 0 rainy days.

January, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 19°C (66°F). During the driest month May you can expect a temperature of 15°C (59°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Salar de Uyuni Temperature page.

Salar de Uyuni's average annual precipitation is 272 mm (11 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual precipitation is 644 mm (25 in), evenly distributed across the year with no extreme wet or dry seasons.

In Seoul, South Korea, the average annual precipitation is 1237 mm (49 in), with most rain falling during the summer monsoon season.

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

Mumbai, India, experiences a tropical monsoon climate with 1860 mm (73 in) of annual rainfall, with the majority of precipitation happening during the monsoon season from June to September.

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.

Tropical Rainforests: In tropical regions, rainfall is generally abundant year-round. Areas near the equator, like the Amazon rainforest, can receive up to 3000 mm (118 in) of rain annually.

Desert Regions: Deserts such as the Sahara and Arabian deserts typically see less than 250 mm (9.8 in) of rainfall annually. Rainfall tends to be infrequent, but when it does occur, it is often intense.

Temperate Zones: In temperate regions, precipitation tends to be more evenly distributed, though areas closer to the ocean may see more rain in the winter months, and areas further inland experience drier summers.

Polar Regions: Precipitation in polar regions, like Antarctica, is extremely low, often falling as snow. Average annual precipitation in Antarctica is less than 200 mm (7.9 in), with some areas receiving as little as 50 mm (2 in) annually.

• 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 Salar de Uyuni's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Salar de Uyuni Climate page.