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

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in Shetland. The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average. Let’s explore the details in depth to provide you with a complete overview.

Shetland has a notably wet climate with abundant precipitation, recording 1165 mm of rainfall per year.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

Shetland can be quite wet during January, receiving approximately 136 mm of precipitation over 26 rainy days.

In contrast May, experiences much drier conditions, with 52 mm of rainfall, spread across 17 rainy days.

January, the city’s wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 9°C. During the driest month May you can expect a temperature of 10°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Shetland Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in Scotland

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

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

Shetland’s average annual precipitation is 1165 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.

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

Perth, Australia, receives 565 mm of rainfall annually, mostly during the winter months.

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

• The U.S. has a significant number of thunderstorms every year, with over 14.6 million taking place across the world annually.
• Approximately 70% of lightning bolts strike land rather than oceans.
• A storm named John was the longest-lasting Pacific tropical storm, continuing for 31 days. As it crossed the dateline twice, it changed status from a hurricane to a typhoon and back to a hurricane.

For more detailed information about Shetland’s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Shetland Climate page.