Cancún Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico. 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.

Cancún has a relatively rainy climate with high precipitation levels, averaging 1212 mm (48 in) of rainfall annually. Despite the high annual total, it does experience a distinct dry 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 Cancún, bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, October, receives heavy rainfall, with an average of 204 mm (8 in) of precipitation. This rainfall is distributed across 13 rainy days.

October, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 30°C (86°F). The city receives 217 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month March you can expect a temperature of 28°C (82°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Cancún Temperature page.

Cancún's average annual precipitation is 1212 mm (48 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

Athens, Greece, receives an average annual precipitation of 400 mm (16 in), making it one of the drier Mediterranean climates with rainfall mostly in winter.

Beijing, China, receives 560 mm (22 in) of annual precipitation, concentrated in the summer months.

In Brisbane, Australia, the annual precipitation is 979 mm (39 in), making it wetter than Sydney.

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.

The proximity of a location to a large body of water can significantly affect its rainfall patterns:

• Ocean Influence: Coastal regions typically receive more rainfall due to the presence of moisture-laden winds from the ocean. These regions tend to have more humid climates and experience more frequent precipitation, especially in winter.
• Continental Climates: Areas further from the sea, such as inland or continental regions, experience less frequent rainfall and more extreme seasonal variations in precipitation.

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