Santa Marta Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia. The figures are based on a 30-year period (1990–2020) to provide a reliable average. Let's explore the details to provide you with a complete overview.
Santa Marta has a relatively rainy climate with high precipitation levels, averaging 1749 mm (69 in) of rainfall annually. Despite the high annual total, it does experience a distinct dry and rainy season during certain months. Examine our detailed charts below to understand these seasonal patterns.
Monthly Precipitation Levels
The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))
The seasons in Santa Marta, bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, October, receives heavy rainfall, with an average of 307 mm (12 in) of precipitation. This rainfall is distributed across 13 rainy days.
In contrast, the driest month, February, experiences much less rainfall, totaling 17 mm (0.7 in) over a single rainy day. These distinct seasonal differences provide diverse experiences throughout the year.October, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 29°C (84°F). The city receives 206 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month February you can expect a temperature of 28°C (82°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Santa Marta Temperature page.
Explore Santa Marta's Historical Precipitation: 1976-2026
Browse day-by-day precipitation records for Santa Marta spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual rainfall and snowfall recorded on each day.
Annual Rainfall in Colombia: City Comparison
The map below shows the annual precipitation across Colombia. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
heavy rainfall
high
moderate
low
almost none
Santa Marta vs World: Rainfall Compared
Santa Marta's average annual precipitation is 1749 mm (69 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:
In Lisbon, Portugal, the average annual precipitation is 774 mm (30 in), characterized by wet winters and dry summers typical of the Mediterranean climate.
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.
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.
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 Santa Marta's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Santa Marta Climate page.
