Antananarivo Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Antananarivo, Madagascar. This average is based on long-term data collected between 1990 and 2020. Let's now guide you through the details for a complete overview.

Antananarivo has a notably wet climate with abundant precipitation, recording 1210 mm (48 in) of rainfall per year. It does, however, have a distinct dry and rainy season during certain months. Have a look at our detailed charts below to see how precipitation varies throughout the year.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

Antananarivo can be quite wet during January, receiving approximately 316 mm (12 in) of precipitation over 20 rainy days.

In contrast August, experiences much drier conditions, with 7.7 mm (0.3 in) of rainfall, spread across 6 rainy days.

January, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 27°C (81°F). The city receives 211 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month August you can expect a temperature of 22°C (72°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Antananarivo Temperature page.

Antananarivo's average annual precipitation is 1210 mm (48 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.

Osaka, Japan, experiences 1507 mm (59 in) of rainfall annually, spread across the year with wetter summers.

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.

Climate change is affecting precipitation patterns worldwide, including Antananarivo:

• Changing Rainfall Patterns: Global warming causes drastic changes in the patterns of rainfall. Some areas have been experiencing increased frequency and intensity of rainfall, while other areas experience longer dry spells or even droughts.
• Local Impacts: Many regions are experiencing heavier rainfall in the winter months and drier, hotter summers. This affects agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems.

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