Cardwell Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Cardwell, Queensland, Australia. Long-term data from 1990 to 2020 was used to calculate these averages. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.
Cardwell is known for its substantial rainfall, with annual precipitation reaching 1744 mm (69 in). While the overall climate is wet, there are notable seasonal patterns that create interesting contrasts, as demonstrated in our graph below.
Monthly Precipitation Levels
The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))
Significant seasonal changes in precipitation occur throughout the year. During the wettest month, February receives substantial rainfall, averaging 383 mm (15 in) of precipitation, recorded across 13 rainy days.
In contrast, the driest month, September brings less rainfall, with 42 mm (1.7 in) over 3 rainy days.
February, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 31°C (88°F). During the driest month September you can expect a temperature of 26°C (79°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Cardwell Temperature page.
Annual Rainfall in Australia: City Comparison
The map below shows the annual precipitation across Australia. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
heavy rainfall
high
moderate
low
almost none
Cardwell vs World: Rainfall Compared
Cardwell's average annual precipitation is 1744 mm (69 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:
Chicago, USA, sees an annual precipitation of 1062 mm (42 in), with rain and snow contributing to its humid climate.
In Shanghai, China, the annual average precipitation is 1347 mm (53 in), with a humid subtropical climate.
Perth, Australia, receives 565 mm (22 in) of rainfall annually, mostly during the winter months.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, receives 2529 mm (100 in) of annual rainfall, characteristic of its equatorial tropical rainforest climate, with consistent rainfall throughout the year and peak months during March and November.
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.
- "Ginger" was the longest-lasting Atlantic tropical storm, which spun around the open ocean for 28 days in 1971.
- The world's largest snowflake was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, at 38 cm (15 inches) wide and 20 cm (7.9 inches) thick. The snowflake fell at Fort Keogh, Montana, USA, on 28 January 1887.
- The greatest snowfall recorded was on Mt. Rainier, Washington State, USA—over 31.5 meters (103 feet) fell during the winter of 1972.
For more detailed information about Cardwell's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Cardwell Climate page.